| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08070086B2 |
Webbing winding device
A webbing winding device includes a clutch mechanism interposed between a spool and an output shaft of a motor and has a simple structure and high operability. In an interference piece that has an interference portion interfering with a connection pawl when an input gear of a clutch is rotated in the winding direction, a base portion is disposed between an outer retaining ring and an inner retaining ring formed at a gear box, and the base portion comes into press contact with an inner peripheral portion of the outer retaining ring and an outer peripheral portion of the inner retaining ring. The interference portion keeps interfering with the connection pawl until a pressing force more than a maximum static frictional force generated between the inner peripheral portion of the outer retaining ring and the outer peripheral portion of the inner retaining ring, and the base portion is applied to the interference portion, thereby rotating the connection pawl. |
| US08070080B2 |
Method of processing nepheline syenite powder to produce an ultra-fine grain size product
The method of converting nepheline syenite particulate feedstock with a grain size profile to an ultra-fine grain finish product for subsequent commercial use, the ultra-fine grain final product has a maximum grain size of less than about 6 microns. The method comprising: providing a dry feedstock with a controlled maximum particle size greater than about 20 microns; grinding the feedstock in a dry state by passing the feedstock vertically downward through a continuous, high-speed stirred ball mill whereby the feedstock is ground into an intermediate powder having a drastically reduced grain size profile than the grain size profile of the feedstock; and passing the intermediate powder from the mill through an air classifier using a rapidly moving high speed air stream moving along a given path to convey the ultra-fine grain product along the path and from the classifier and to allow coarse particulate material including particles larger than the ultra-fine product to be separated and then expelled from the classifier. |
| US08070079B2 |
Method for producing a silane modified surface nano-corundum
The invention relates to a process for producing a silane-modified nano-corundum, wherein nano-corundum agglomerates are disagglomerated in the presence of an organic solvent and simultaneously or afterwards treated by silane. |
| US08070075B2 |
Sanitary water-outflow fitting
The description is given of a sanitary water-outflow fitting, in particular a tub-filling mixer unit, having a water-outflow housing (1) and a jet former for a wide-surface-area water-outlet jet (19), the jet former being arranged in the housing. The water-outflow housing (1) comprises an elongate supply channel (21) which runs essentially perpendicularly to the water-outlet jet (19), tapers in a funnel like manner in the throughflow direction and is bounded by an intermediate wall (37). The intermediate wall (37) has a multiplicity of throughflow holes (51), via which the supply channel (21) is connected to an elongate distributor chamber (11) essentially parallel to it. The distributor chamber (11) has at least one water-outlet channel (9) leading to the water outflow. |
| US08070069B2 |
Device and method for the contactless personalization of chips that are integrated into passports
The invention relates to a device and a method for the contactless personalisation of chips integrated into passports within a system for processing, sorting and packaging a large number of passports comprising a straight main transport path with a first transport direction for transporting the passports one behind the other through the system comprising a plurality of system modules for processing, sorting and/or packaging, with a respective straight first auxiliary transport path connected to the main transport path and arranged on either side thereof for leading the passports away from the main transport path in a second transport direction running perpendicular to the first transport direction, a plurality of coding stations arranged along the two first auxiliary transport paths and next to one another with respect to the first transport direction for coding the chips of the passports, and an equal plurality of transport elements which are respectively assigned to the coding stations and can be displaced in the first transport direction for picking up the passports from the auxiliary transport paths, positioning them above the associated coding stations and then depositing them on second auxiliary transport paths running back towards the main transport path with a third transport direction running parallel to the second transport direction. |
| US08070066B2 |
Systems and methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity
Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for preserving and maintaining document integrity. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the contents of a document, or contents of a document layer may be encoded into a machine-readable form. In some embodiments, the encoded information may be represented using a 2-dimensional bar code. In some methods for preserving and maintaining document integrity, the machine-readable code is printed along with contents of the document based on space available in the document. In some embodiments, a printed document containing the machine-readable code may be scanned and digitized, and content extracted from the scanned data. In some embodiments, the machine-readable code printed on the document is used to recreate layer data from the printed document. |
| US08070064B1 |
Hand-operated document reader/imager with speed limiting device providing document retention
A hand-operated document processor includes a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized. A manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem includes a MICR read head and is attached to the base. Movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head. A spring drives the moving MICR subsystem across the document being processed. A vacuum solenoid creates a vacuum. The vacuum solenoid is driven by the spring and is connected to the base. The created vacuum acts as a brake to control the speed of the moving MICR subsystem as the moving MICR subsystem is driven by the spring. |
| US08070063B2 |
Apparatus and method for obtaining a random code useable in a device for unique identification of a product
The present invention refers to a method and to an apparatus for obtaining a random code useable in a device for unique identification of a product wherein the apparatus comprises a sliding path of a continuous strip arranged along which is at least one drilling station for obtaining a plurality of holes on the strip, the plurality of holes forming the random code and it is wherein the drilling station is of the random type generating a plurality of holes according to a random and deterministically irreproducible process. |
| US08070057B2 |
Switching between internal and external antennas
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for switching between internal and external antennas. In some implementations, a system includes an antenna, a connector, and a housing. The antenna is configured to communicate wirelessly transactions with transaction terminals. The connector is connected to the antenna and configured to connect a transaction card to the antenna in response to at least insertion in the housing. The housing enclosing at least a portion of the antenna and at least a portion of the connector and including one or more elements that form an opening for receiving the transaction card. In addition, the housing is substantially rectangular and includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness different from the first thickness and at least the thickness of the transaction card. |
| US08070045B1 |
Curable amine flux composition and method of soldering
A curable amine flux composition is provided, comprising, as initial components: a resin component having at least two oxirane groups per molecule; an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; wherein R7 and R8 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R7 and R8, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; wherein R10 and R11 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R10 and R11, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; and, wherein R9 is selected from a hydrogen, a C1-30 alkyl group, a substituted C1-30 alkyl group, a C6-30 aryl group and a substituted C6-30 aryl group; and, optionally, a curing agent. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the curable amine flux composition. |
| US08070044B1 |
Polyamine flux composition and method of soldering
A polyamine flux composition is provided, comprising, as an initial component: a polyamine fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; wherein R7 comprises at least two tertiary carbons and is selected from an unsubstituted C5-80 alkyl group, a substituted C5-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C12-80 arylalkyl group and a substituted C12-80 arylalkyl group; and, wherein the two nitrogens shown in formula I are each separately bound to one of the at least two tertiary carbons of R7; with the proviso that when the polyamine fluxing agent of formula I is represented by formula Ia: then zero to three of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is(are) hydrogen. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the polyamine flux composition. |
| US08070037B2 |
Circular stapler for hemorrhoid operations
A circular stapler for performing hemorrhoidal operations is disclosed. The circular stapler includes an anvil, a stapler head and a shaft which movably supports the anvil in relation to the stapler head between open and closed positions. The stapler includes at least one displacing member, each of which is arbitrarily and/or independently displaceable along the shaft. Each of the at least one displacing members has a first end configured to engage a pursestring suture and a second end which extends through the body, e.g., the neck of the stapler. The displacing member is arbitrarily displaceable along the shaft. In one embodiment, two independently displaceable displacing members are provided. In another embodiment, the at least one displacing member is at least partially embedded in the shaft. |
| US08070034B1 |
Surgical stapler with angled staple bays
An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder including an upper surface, where the upper surface includes two substantially-planar angled surfaces positioned lateral to and angled relative to each other; staple bays within the staple holder, each opening to a corresponding angled surface; and staples, where at least one staple is held within at least one staple bay. Another exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder; a first group of staple bays defined within the staple holder, the first group of staple bays lying substantially in a first plane; and a second group of staple bays defined within the staple holder, the second plurality of staple bays lying substantially in a second plane; where the first plane intersects the second plane. |
| US08070033B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus
A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device. |
| US08070031B2 |
Variable ignition delay for combustion nailer
A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a tool housing, a power source associated with the housing and including a cylinder head, a cylinder and a piston reciprocating in the cylinder, a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to the cylinder, a chamber switch and a trigger switch; the cylinder head, the valve sleeve, the cylinder and the piston combining to define a combustion chamber, the closing of both switches required for initiating an ignition of the power source for driving piston down cylinder. A fan is disposed in the combustion chamber, and a control system includes a control program associated with the housing, connected to the power source, the chamber switch and the trigger switch, and configured for providing a designated ignition delay period after fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and when the chamber switch is closed, the delay period being variable as a function of monitored tool parameters. |
| US08070029B1 |
Truck bed companion
Truck Bed Companion will keep groceries from spilling all over the truck bed, allow contractors to transport tools and sheets of plywood or drywalls with ease, eliminate the need to ties down lawn mowers or gas cans and create separate areas for tool boxes, saws or other necessities. |
| US08070027B2 |
Adaptable tool hook
An adaptable-tool hook comprises a wire-frame buckle and hook with a strap. The strap can be positioned on the buckle-hook in two different orthogonal positions to allow the strap to wrap an object or tool laterally or longitudinally. The hook stays with the tool and can be hooked on any available belt, pocket, rail, or wire. |
| US08070026B2 |
Rotating and pivoting belt clip that can be used as a stand
A belt clip apparatus is provided that attaches to a case for a portable electronic device (e.g., a music player, video player, cell phone, etc.) that both swivels and pivots on two different axes. Such a clip can attach to an article of clothing and allow the user to view the screen and access the controls of an electronic device without having to first remove the device from the article of clothing. In one embodiment, the apparatus can stand on a flat surface in either an angled portrait or landscape orientation when attached to the case, thereby allowing the user to choose the optimal orientation for accessing the controls or viewing a screen on a portable device mounted within the attached case. The angle formed between the case and the belt clip can be varied so that the user can optimize the viewing angle of the attached portable electronic device. |
| US08070025B1 |
Jewelry storage hanger
A jewelry storage apparatus is disclosed that combine a traditional jewelry storage box with a hanger to utilize vertical space in a closet. One embodiment is an apparatus for storing jewelry that comprises a hanger and a storage structure affixed to the hanger where the storage structure comprises a ring structure with a base and compression slits for holding rings in a display mode, a bracelet structure for suspending bracelets, an earring structure for displaying earrings, and a necklace structure for hanging necklaces. The apparatus is suitable for storing in a display-mode a large amount of various types of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets in both a scratch-free mode and a tangle-free manner. |
| US08070022B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of paste
An apparatus, system, and method for dispensing a measured amount of paste is provided herein, including a flexible container for paste, comprising a closed end, a peripheral wall, and an open outlet; a top cap comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the top cap hingedly attached to the open outlet, the bottom surface of the top cap disposed to cover the open outlet in a closed position and uncover the open outlet in an open position; and a scooper attached to the bottom surface of the top cap in a substantially perpendicular orientation, the scooper configured to dip into the container in the closed position and scoop out a measured amount of paste from the container in an open position. |
| US08070021B2 |
Hydraulic container evacuator and method
A viscous material evacuator has a chamber to hold containers shaped as drums and has a plunger that presses into the interior of the drum to press out its highly viscous contents. The chamber has a hinged enclosure that has a hydraulically activated clamp that connects the two sides of the hinged enclosure. The hydraulically activated clamp can be arranged in series and also has a relief cartridge and pressure sensor to prevent the drum from becoming overpressurized. |
| US08070015B2 |
Small-sized hand-operated spray pump
Disclosed herein is a small-sized hand-operated spray pump. The spray pump includes a spray nozzle (10) for spraying content, a housing (100) constructed in a narrow and long cylindrical structure to allow the content to be vertically moved therethrough, a cap (20) for controlling the operation of the spray nozzle, a container (130) for containing the content, a closure (80), constructed in a symmetrical wing structure, fixed to one side of housing, a shaft (30) vertically movable along the inner surface of the housing, a piston (92) mounted to the shaft while surrounding the lower end of the shaft, a compression spring (90) for providing a restoring force to the shaft at the time of pumping, a ball (120) for opening and closing an inlet port of the housing at the time of pumping, and a case member (70) constructed in a three-stage frame structure. |
| US08070013B2 |
Cutlery utensil dispensing apparatus and method
A cutlery utensil dispenser has a dispensing tray with a floor and a region housing a cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil has first and second portions and is moved by an engagement portion of an actuator from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the first orientation, the cutlery utensil rests on the floor in the region and is within the cutlery utensil dispenser, inaccessible to a user. In the second orientation, the second portion of the cutlery utensil projects from the cutlery utensil dispenser and is accessible to the user. A wall of the region has a fulcrum end dimensioned to engage the cutlery utensil. The cutlery utensil rotates about the fulcrum end responsive to the engagement portion toward an exit of the dispenser. |
| US08070010B2 |
Easy-to-clean cooking surface
A food cooking surface for a cooking appliance, a method of producing that surface and a method of cooking food with a cooking appliance having that food cooking surface. The food cooking surface is made of a metal alloy of zirconium and of at least another metal, the zirconium content is not less than 75 wt %. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the alloy contains less than 10 wt % of elements added to zirconium. |
| US08070009B2 |
Remotely activated tank hatch system
A remotely activated tank hatch system includes an upper frame and a lower frame joined by a hinge assembly. The lower frame is coupled to a collar of an opening of a tank and a hatch is coupled to the upper frame. The hinge assembly allows the upper frame to pivot the hatch between an open and closed position. The lower frame includes at least one catch to receive an edge of the hatch, when the hatch is closed. Spring members on the upper frame urge the hatch toward the upper frame so that the hatch may be swung away from the opening. Inflating a rubber bladder positioned between the upper frame and hatch overcomes the spring pressure and urges the hatch into tight contact with the collar. The hatch system includes a remote control for inflating the bladder and opening and closing the hatch. |
| US08069999B2 |
Hanger for suspending at least one object from a support
A hanger, for suspending at least one object from a support, includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cap extending from the top surface of the base. Further, packaging, having an upper and lower portion, at least partially encloses the base and at least partially encloses the at least one object for removably attaching the object to the base. The cap is removably engagable with the support and the hanger is removably attached to the at least one object by at least the packaging. |
| US08069995B2 |
Adjustable tool holder
The present invention includes an apparatus and method for holding a tool that includes one or more substantially cylindrical members, wherein each member has a longitudinal channel and a base having one or more planarly spaced substantially cylindrical openings and a longitudinal slot extending along each substantially cylindrical opening, wherein each substantially cylindrical member is secured within one of the cylindrical openings and is free to rotatively engage one or more tools. |
| US08069994B2 |
Trackless retail pusher system
A pusher system for biasing retail merchandise forward is provided. The pusher system includes a front wall structure, a pair of walls, a pusher, and a spring. The pair of walls are operably coupled to the front wall structure. The pair of walls are in opposing spaced relation to each other. The pair of walls are also transverse to and extend rearwardly from the front wall structure to define a receptacle for the retail merchandise. The pusher is interposed between the pair of walls. The spring acts upon the pusher such that the pusher is movable toward the front wall structure between the pair of walls under the action of the spring. The pusher is movable laterally between and guided by the walls so that the pusher is free of a central track. |
| US08069991B2 |
System and method for liquid filtration with reduced hold-up volume
In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a filter device for liquid filtration, the filter device being in fluid communication with a plurality of liquid pathways, at least one pathway of the plurality of liquid pathways having a smallest equivalent fluid flow diameter of the plurality of liquid pathways. The device comprises a filter membrane (108) and a filter core (109) comprising at least one cross hole (110) in fluid communication with the filter membrane, each cross hole having an equivalent fluid flow, diameter. The sum of the equivalent fluid flow diameters of the at least one cross holes does not exceed the smallest equivalent fluid flow diameter of the plurality of liquid pathways. |
| US08069988B2 |
Vacuum-packed diaper kit
Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed. |
| US08069985B2 |
Sealed single-dose break-open package
A sealed single-dose break-open package (1) having: a first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material; a second sheet (3) of flexible plastic material superimposed on and sealed to the first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material to define a sealed pocket (4) containing a dose of a product (5); and an incision (6) formed in the first sheet (2) of semirigid plastic material to guide controlled breakage of the first sheet (2) along the incision (6) and form an outlet opening for the product (5) through the first sheet (2); the incision (6) varies in depth lengthwise to break the first sheet (2) gradually along the incision (6). |
| US08069984B2 |
Bit holder
A bit holder comprises a body defining at least one cavity. The cavity includes a first pathway for receiving a bit and a second pathway for holding a bit. The first and second pathways intersect to define an open area between the first pathway and the second pathway such that a bit can be rotated between the first pathway and to a locked position in second pathway. The first pathway is disposed at an angle relative to the second pathway. The bit is retained by an interference fit with the body. The holder may be releasably retained in a case using mating structures on the case and holder. In a method for retaining a bit in a holder, the bit is inserted into the holder along the first pathway. The bit is rotated through the open area to position the bit in the second pathway where it is held. |
| US08069982B2 |
Merchandise display system for identifying disposable absorbent article configurations for wearers
An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is provided comprising a sequence of designs corresponding to a wearer's stages of development. A merchandising system facilitates consumers' selection of an absorbent article configuration by appropriately matching an absorbent article configuration with a particular wearer's stage of development. The system includes indicia exhibiting pictorial representations of the absorbent article configurations fitted to wearer's at corresponding stages of development enabling a consumer to choose the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer. |
| US08069970B2 |
Transport star wheels
A transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part with a first locking element and a mounting part holder with a second locking element, and where one of the two locking elements is locked with the other locking element by rotation. In addition, a transport star having at least one replaceable mounting part that can be locked with a mounting part holder, and where a ring-shaped operating element is provided for locking the mounting part with the mounting part holder. Also, a transport star having at least one mounting part and a mounting part holder on which the mounting part can be positioned in a position predetermined by positioning devices, whereby the lifting of the mounting part can be prevented by the positioning devices. |
| US08069968B2 |
Apparatus for discharging a flat article
An apparatus for the discharge of an article, in particular of a flat mail item. A first conveyor device is able to transport the article in a primary transport path, a second conveyor device transports it in a branched transport path. A diverter is configured to leave the article either in the primary transport path or to discharge it into the branched transport path. A conveyor belt of the first conveyor device is guided around a roller. This roller is mounted onto the diverter. Thus a pivoting of the diverter from a standby position into a discharge position causes the roller and the conveyor belt resting upon the roller to be displaced perpendicular to the pivot axis of the diverter. |
| US08069966B2 |
Coin-sorting device
The invention relates to a coin selecting device. The device comprises a body with a series of passages, one of which is disposed facing a coin-receiving area and delimited laterally by two partition walls which each belong to respective adjacent passages. Each of the partition walls is articulated to the body about an axis, such that they can occupy two positions in relation thereto, namely: a position for receiving diverted coins and a rest position. The invention also comprises two controlled actuation devices to actuate to rotate each partition wall selectively to the position for receiving diverted coins, in which its respective passage faces the coin-receiving area, and at least one permanent pushing device for maintaining the partition walls in respective rest positions and/or returning the partition walls to the respective rest positions upon termination of the actuation. |
| US08069965B2 |
Section insulator for a rigid catenary
Section insulator for rigid catenary which has a dual functionality, since it can exercise the functions both of conventional section insulator and of neutral section insulator, configured so that it maintains a mechanical continuity which allows the smooth passage of the pantograph, minimizing the requirement for adjustment and maintenance. The insulator basically comprises a pair of conductor rail segments (2) between which is disposed a single central shoe (1) obliquely disposed with respect to the direction of the catenary, a pair of spark wires (9) wherein the electric field is broken and a series of strips (8) disposed on said central shoe (1) which, together with a bridging cable which extends from them to the conductor rail segment (2), enables bridging the wire conductor of the insulator (3) when one want to maintain the power supply to the pantograph. |
| US08069964B2 |
Junction bleed
A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage and at least one rebound fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. An interconnecting passage connects the at least one compression fluid passage and the at least one rebound fluid passage to define an open flow path through the piston. |
| US08069962B1 |
Electromechanical brake comprising an energy accumulator and a downstream force multiplication unit
An electromechanical brake has an element to be braked, at least one friction lining for frictionally engaging with the element, and an electric actuator for displacing the friction lining so that it frictionally engages with the element. A constructively and energetically improved electromechanical brake can be provided by a reversible energy accumulator functionally coupled to the electric actuator which interacts with a force multiplication device such that when the brake is actuated by the actuator, the stored energy is successively supplied to the force multiplication device with increasing actuation travel of the actuator and the device converts the energy in a set manner to an actuation torque that increases with increasing actuation travel of the actuator, the torque being transmitted indirectly or directly onto the friction lining. When the brake is released, a brake-inherent restoring force reacting upon the force multiplication device via the friction lining recharges the energy accumulator. |
| US08069961B2 |
Disk brake apparatus
Engaging grooves 8e extending in the cylinder axial direction and circumferential grooves 8f formed in a cylinder axial direction middle portion of the engaging grooves 8 are formed on a bottom side of a cylinder hole 8. Engaging rib 12b engaging with the engaging groove 8e and engaging rib 16d which engages with the engaging groove 8e and fits to the circumferential groove 8f are formed on a fixed side cam plate 12 and a housing, respectively. A bleeder hole 8g which penetrates communicates with the engaging grooves 8e and circumferential grooves 8f of the cylinder hole 8 is drilled in a caliper body 2. Communication holes 16h which allow communication between the inside and outside of the housing 16 is formed at a bottom side of the cylinder hole 8 rather than the engaging rib 16f of the housing. |
| US08069960B2 |
Spring clip for mounting a sensor on a disk-brake brakeshoe backing plate
A brakeshoe having a backing plate formed with a seat recess opening at a face, is provided with a brakeshoe wear sensor held in place by a U-shaped spring clip. The clip is formed with a pair of legs extending generally parallel to each other and spaced so as to fit around the sensor and a front end extending between the legs and joining same together. The legs and front end fit wholly in the seat recess between the sensor and the backing plate and bear on the sensor and backing plate. A bent-out tab projects transversely from each of the legs and bears outside the recess on the face of the backing plate. |
| US08069953B2 |
Food item cooking, assembly and packaging system and method
A system and method for making a food item are provided. The apparatus includes a food item assembly and packaging station having a first work area for assembling and packaging a food item and a meal order assembly station having a second work area for assembling a meal order that includes a food item packaged on the first work surface. A conveyor is positioned beneath the first work area and extends from a position proximate to the first area to a position proximate to the second work area. A conveyor access opening is proximate to the first work area to provide worker access to the conveyor to permit manual placement of a food item assembled and packaged at the first work area onto the conveyor for conveying the packaged food item beneath the first work area to the location proximate the meal order assembly station. |
| US08069950B1 |
Environmental compressor protection assembly
A device that relieves lubricant pressure in a divider block lubrication system into a fluid reservoir, a container, or directly back into the compressor frame to which the tubing is connected. This eliminates housekeeping, environmental, safety, and compressor component failure concerns associated with current atmospheric rupture assemblies that relieve directly to the atmosphere. The environmental compressor protection assembly contains a spring set to a pre-determined pressure. Lubricant pressure in excess of this pre-determined set pressure results in spring compression and opening of a relief path. The assembly preferably remains in a full open position and must be must be manually reset to the closed position to prevent fluid flow in the system. The relief path can lead to a fluid reservoir, a container, or directly back into the compressor frame. Flow of lubricant through the relief path results in loss of flow to the lubrication system. This triggers an alarm in the no-flow system and shutdown of the compressor. The relief path remains open until an operator resets the device. A visual indicator shows an operator if the relief valve is open or closed. |
| US08069942B2 |
Driveline on truck
A device and a method for engaging and disengaging a longitudinal differential (10) disposed between a forward wheelshaft (4) and a rear wheelshaft (5) of an articulated vehicle (1) which has a front element (2) and a rear element (3) pivotable about a steering linkage (6) disposed between them and which comprises a distribution box (9) which supplies power from an engine (7) to the forward wheelshaft (4) in the front element (2) via a first shaft (11) and to the near wheelshaft (5) in the rear element (3) via a second shaft (12), wherein the longitudinal differential (10) is disposed between the first shaft (11) and the second shaft (12), whereby a steering angle v formed between the front element (2) and the rear element (3) is detected by a detection means (25a) so arranged that the detection means (25a) causes a differential brake (20) for the longitudinal differential (10) to be kept locked, or braked, when the detection means (25a) detects a steering angle v which is smaller than a predetermined steering angle V1. |
| US08069936B2 |
Encapsulated diamond particles, materials and impregnated diamond earth-boring bits including such particles, and methods of forming such particles, materials, and bits
Earth-boring tools and components thereof include a particle-matrix composite material having encapsulated diamond particles embedded within a matrix material. Diamonds in the particles comprise less than about 25% by volume of the composite material, the matrix material comprises less than about 50% by volume of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds at least substantially comprises a remainder of the volume of the composite material. Methods of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool include embedding encapsulated diamond particles in a volume of matrix material to form a particle-matrix composite material. The composite material is formed in such a manner as to cause diamonds to comprise less than about 25% of the composite material, the matrix material to comprise less than about 50% of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds to at least substantially comprise a remainder of the composite material. |
| US08069930B2 |
Hand power tool with vibration-damped pistol grip
A hand power tool, in particular a drill hammer, percussion drill or percussion screwdriver, includes a pistol grip (2), which is connected in vibration-damped fashion to the tool housing (1). The pistol grip (2) is supported on the tool housing (1) pivotably about a shaft (5), and the shaft (5) extends transversely to the primary direction of vibration (3) of the hand power tool. At least one spring element (10), which acts in the direction of vibration, is located between the tool housing (1) and the pistol grip (2). |
| US08069928B2 |
Percussion device, drilling machine including such a percussion device and method for controlling such a percussion device
A percussive device and method having, inside a machine housing (3), a reciprocally moveable percussive piston (2), the movement of which is controlled by a control valve (5), which is arranged to alternatively connect a chamber to a pressure source and to low pressure in dependence on a signal corresponding to the axial position of the percussive piston, and a valve (16) arranged to allow adjustment of the axial position of the percussive piston at which the signal is transmitted, by opening and blocking of a connection between one or more control channels (10, 11, 12, 13) and the control valve. |
| US08069925B2 |
Downhole resettable clutch swivel
A top sub of a clutch swivel for connection to a production well tubing string is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to a mandrel. The engaged position allows an anchor to be set in a well casing by rotating the tubing string. Tension can be applied to the tubing string to move the top sub to the disengaged position, allowing the tubing string to be rotated without rotating the mandrel. The anchor can be moved to a different position, without pulling the tubing string to the surface, by removing tension from the tubing string to move the top sub from the disengaged position to the engaged position, rotating the tubing string in an opposite direction to release the anchor, and resetting the anchor by again rotating the tubing string. The top sub may also include a sealed internal volume of the swivel remains constant are. |
| US08069924B2 |
Well jet device and the operating method thereof
A well jet device for testing oil-gas wells comprises a body provided with bypass windows and an insert provided with a jet pump. The insert has channels and a mounting seat embodied therein, carrying a sealing unit with a channel for a cable and well instruments fixed thereto. An output channel communicates with an upstream cavity. A supporting sleeve, provided with bypass openings embodied in the wall of the sleeve and with a flange arranged in the lower part thereof, axially movable and spring-loaded with respect to the body, is arranged therein. A recess used for limiting the displacement of the sleeve flange and connected to the bypass windows is formed thereunder. In the lower position of the sleeve, channel for supplying active medium is linked with surrounding space through the bypass openings and windows, whereas in the top position thereof the windows are closed by the sleeve wall. |
| US08069920B2 |
Lateral well locator and reentry apparatus and method
A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out. |
| US08069914B2 |
Hydraulic actuated pump system
The invention is directed to a hydraulic actuated pump system which lifts production fluids and re-circulating hydraulic fluid from a petroleum well. Additives may be added to the hydraulic fluid to apply direct chemical treatment to the production formation. A sonic stimulator may be included to stimulate and produce the same liquids from the horizontal section of the well. |
| US08069911B2 |
Radiator with built-in oil cooler
A radiator including a core part having a plurality of tubes and fins, a tank fluidically connected with the tank, an oil cooler contained in the tank, the oil cooler being provided with a pair of connecting pipes which fluidically communicate an interior of the oil cooler and penetrate a wall portion of the tank. The wall portion is formed with a projecting reinforcement portion which projects therefrom and is formed at least between the connecting pipes. |
| US08069908B2 |
Heat dissipation device having a fan holder
An exemplary heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a fan holder, and a fan secured on a front side of the fan holder. The heat sink includes a base having two first fixing ears at its two lateral sides, and fins on the base. An engaging notch is defined in a top end of four of the fins. The fan holder includes a top panel, and two sidewalls extending downwardly from two lateral edges of the top panel. The top panel has a pair of inserting protrusions at a bottom surface thereof. The two sidewalls have two fixing flanges at lower ends thereof. The top panel is partially placed on the front portion of the top ends of the fins, and the inserting protrusions are inserted into the engaging notches of the fins. The two sidewalls abut against two lateral sides of the heat sink, and the two fixing flanges are disposed on the two first fixing ears. |
| US08069903B2 |
Method and apparatus for sealing an ingot at initial startup
A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal. |
| US08069899B2 |
Vertically attached golf cart canopy
A vertically attachable golf cart canopy having a folding canopy which allows other accessories, such as coolers and sand bottles, to be mounted underneath. The golf cart canopy has three components: a securing frame (1), canopy support bars (2) and (3) and a canopy (4), (5) and (16). The securing frame (1) is shaped so as to have two vertical legs (21) and a horizontal top bar (23). Frame structure tabs (8) are located at the base of the legs (21) wherein the support bars (2) and (3) are pivotally attached to the securing frame (1). Each leg (21) has a leg extension (24) with at least one securing tab (6) to secure the securing frame (1) to the golf bag support bar (18). The horizontal top bar (23) has a canopy holder (11) which holds the removably attached canopy (4), (5) and (16), a canopy flap (13) and a canopy fastener (15) in order for the user to keep the vertically attachable golf cart canopy in an upright position. |
| US08069898B1 |
Guide apparatus and method
In a curtain assembly with a bracket, a guide apparatus includes a guide with a surface alignment tab and a bracket connector, for removable connection with a bracket, connected with the surface alignment tab. A first exit guide and a second exit guide locate a curtain within an opening front to back while the guide locates the curtain assembly within an opening side to side and front to back. |
| US08069896B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a roller shutter door
The present invention is a method and apparatus for driving a roller-shutter door having a drive mechanism. The method comprises the activation of a circuit in response to an external stimuli to a switch. This actuates a timer and raises a timing bar. A cable passes across the timing bar and is connected to the switch on one end and to a solenoid on a second end. The cable passes through a top portion of a rocker arm assembly having a one-way bearing. The solenoid is actuated as a result of the raising of the timing bar; and activates the one-way bearing to cause the door to be raised to a pre-set position for a pre-set period of time. To reverse the door, the timer bar is dropped after the lapse of the pre-set period of time. The solenoid is re-activated and reverses the one-way bearing. |
| US08069894B2 |
Intermittent cutting transferring device
An intermittent cutting transferring device configured to cut a first web into individual sheets and to intermittently transfer the individual sheets onto a second web being continuously fed includes an upper blade roll with a blade and a lower blade roll with an anvil element. Each of the individual sheets cut from the first web is arranged to be guided and transferred onto the second web while the first web is being sucked onto an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll by the suction through suction holes formed in a first region on an outer peripheral surface of the lower blade roll. The first region defined as a suction region includes a plurality of the suction holes and a non-suction region does not include the suction holes. The suction region and the non-suction region are provided alternately in a roll rotating direction. |
| US08069892B2 |
Film bonding machine
In a film bonding machine 1 including a laser oscillation means 2 for oscillating laser for processing a tape 7 bonded onto an end surface 8 of a columnar honeycomb structural body 6 by the laser oscillated from the laser oscillation means 2, the film bonding machine 1 further includes an image pick-up means 3 having a moving type or tilt type mirror 4 capable of reflecting the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 onto the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2 by reflected light and an image pick-up unit 5 for picking up the image of the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 reflected by the mirror 4. In the film bonding machine 1, the processing position of the tape 7 bonded onto the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 can be recognized by the image-pick means 3 on the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2. As a result, the tape bonded onto the end surface of the honeycomb structural body can be accurately processed by the laser. |
| US08069888B2 |
Method for optimizing stem merchandizing
The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked. |
| US08069884B1 |
Automotive fluid reservoir
An automotive fluid reservoir for storing and dispensing automotive fluids, such as motor oil and transmission fluid, into the engine and transmission of a vehicle is provided. The automotive fluid reservoir comprises a housing having a top side, a bottom side, a pair of end walls, a first side wall, and a second side wall. At least one compartment is formed in the housing with each compartment fluidly separate from any other compartment. A fluid receiving aperture is formed in the top side of the housing directly over each compartment for receiving fluid from an appropriate fluid container. At least one fluid output aperture is formed in one of the side walls of the housing with each fluid output aperture fluidly connected to at least one of the compartments. A length of tubing is connected to each of the fluid output apertures with each tubing extending from the appropriate fluid output aperture to the standard fluid reservoir within the vehicle. A dispensing mechanism dispenses the fluids from each compartment into the standard fluid reservoir in the vehicle. |
| US08069873B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing liquids from risers
A bypass assembly is provided for preventing unwanted liquids from collecting within fuel gas risers, exiting such risers and contaminating fuel gas systems. A conduit extends from a riser vessel to a natural gas flow line. An insert extends from the bypass line into the natural gas flow line. As production flows through the flow line and insert, a suction force is created that draws liquids from the riser into the conduit and, ultimately, back into the flow line system. |
| US08069867B2 |
Car wash arch
A car wash arch of inverted U-shape with a centrally mounted pendant on the overhead horizontal section, the pendant being of such size and shape as to accommodate a logo or other indicia therein. Light tubes, preferably containing LEDs extend upwardly along the vertical sections of the arch, inwardly along the horizontal section of the arch and into the pendant so as to at least partially frame and illuminate the pendant. A fluid conduit feeding a system of nozzles can be mounted to the arch and supply car wash fluids to spray nozzles inwardly from the vertical and horizontal arch sections. |
| US08069865B1 |
Disposable dental flosser
A multi-strand disposable dental flosser with an improved floss strand pair arrangement. The dental flosser is an integral unit having an elongate gripping handle with a toothpick at one end, and a flosser head with two spaced apart arms at the opposite end. The floss strand pair is tautly stretched across the span between the arms and anchored securely near the tips thereof. The floss strand arrangement includes an X-configured floss strand pair, and can have at least one additional X-configured floss strand pair or at least one added single floss strand disposed slightly above the lower floss strand pair. The X-configured floss strand pair has two individual strands that are spaced apart at the ends thereof and cross together at the mid-lengths thereof. The flosser can have a tongue-cleaning edge and a tongue-cleaning surface area to enhance overall oral hygiene. |
| US08069864B2 |
Hair retaining clip with deployable handles
A hair retaining clip includes a first claw portion, and a second claw portion pivotally connected to the first claw portion. A primary hinge may provide the pivotal connection between the first claw portion and the second claw portion, aligned along a primary hinge axis. At least one deployable handle extends from one of the first claw portion and the second claw portion, and may be movable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. |
| US08069863B2 |
Hairdresser's masking aid
A hairdresser's masking aid allows for masking selected strands of hair from other strands of hair while the selected strands are treated. The masking aid comprising at least two panels of flexible sheet material which are capable of being hinged apart to receive the selected strands and subsequently brought together to envelop the selected strands. At least one of the panels comprises a substrate of a flexible and transparent plastics material laminated over at least part of its area to a metal foil substrate. The plastics substrate is laminated to the said metal foil substrate by a laminating wax so that the resultant laminated sheet is capable of being deadfolded in a similar way as non-laminated aluminum foil. |
| US08069860B2 |
Humidification control device
A humidification control device comprising a container with a chamber for storing and dispensing liquids and a base section in which is formed an opening with a contact surface around the opening's periphery. Also provided is a cigar having at least one exposed cut end and a receptacle, which is hermetically sealed, inside the container's chamber for receiving and retaining the cigar. Additionally provided is a closure plug having a tubular housing member with a closed bottom, a top with an opening and a projecting flange for engaging the opening in the base section conformable to the shape of the area of the container peripheral to the opening. The device includes a humidification source and a tubular case, which is adapted to releasably join with the tubular housing member of the closure plug, for holding the humidification source, and an opening defined by a projecting rim in the tubular case through which the humidification vapors may freely pass. The projecting rim is adapted to be placed in or in near abutment with the exposed cut end of the cigar to enable the direct flow of the humidification vapors into and throughout the cigar. |
| US08069853B2 |
Breath responsive powered air-purifying respirator
A system for regulating the airflow to a closed environment using feedback control for the position of a control valve and blower speed. The system provides a control apparatus that regulates airflow to a closed environment, such as the mask of a breathing apparatus, to ensure sufficient breathing air for a wearer of such mask. In order to provide fast response to a change in condition in the breathable environment, the airflow regulator includes a valve control and a blower control. |
| US08069848B1 |
Pillow block bearing assembly for compound bows
The axles of the eccentric pulley assemblies of a compound bow are journal mounted in pillow blocks carried by the limbs of the bow. |
| US08069845B2 |
Fuel heating during cold start in a direct-injection gasoline engine
It has been found that direct-injection gasoline engines emit particulate matter during the first 500 seconds of operation due to fuel impacting combustion chamber surfaces. To largely overcome the fuel penetrating to surfaces in the combustion chamber, the fuel may be heated. In one embodiment, engine coolant that is heated in the water jacket portions nearest exhaust ducts is provided directly to a tube in physical contact with the fuel rail. In some embodiments, the tube is provided with an electric heating element. If the coolant pump is turned off at the initial portions of a cold start, the electric heater raises the temperature of the fuel in the fuel rail. After engine coolant temperature raises, water, warm coolant is provided to the tube proximate the fuel rail and the heater is turned off. |
| US08069844B2 |
Fuel delivery unit for a motor vehicle
A fuel delivery unit for a motor vehicle, wherein a swirl pot has a base formed from an upper part and a lower part, and an outer wall connected to the base, forming a seal. The upper part and the lower part bound fuel-delivering regions of a suction jet pump and of a section of a feed line. This arrangement allows the fuel delivery unit to be produced at particularly low cost. |
| US08069842B2 |
Injector mounting assembly
An injector mounting arrangement includes a tolerance ring assembly that provides damping or absorption capabilities in addition to alignment and centering functionality. The tolerance ring assembly is designed to absorb axial excitation energy from the injector by converting it into strain energy through the radial deformation of the tolerance ring. The strain energy is absorbed in the form of bending stress within the tolerance ring more effectively than by simply absorbing the axial forces in compression alone. As a result, vibration and noise is reduced and/or isolated. |
| US08069841B2 |
Coupling arrangement and fuel injector
A coupling arrangement for coupling a fuel injector to a fuel rail of a combustion engine, has a fuel injector cup having a central longitudinal axis and is coupled to the fuel rail at a first axial end area of the fuel injector cup, a housing of the fuel injector being arranged at the central longitudinal axis facing a second axial end area of the fuel injector cup, an O-ring seal being arranged between the housing and the fuel injector cup at an axially overlapping area of the fuel injector cup and the housing, a back-up ring being arranged at least partly circumferentially the housing such as to prevent the O-ring seal to be released from the housing, and a separating element being arranged at least partly circumferentially the housing between the O-ring seal and the back-up ring to prevent a contact of the O-ring seal with the back-up ring. |
| US08069838B2 |
Spark timing adjustment based on vehicle acceleration
Systems, methods and a processor are provided for adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine. The systems, methods and processor include adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle toward peak torque timing based on an output of a longitudinal acceleration sensor configured to sense a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. |
| US08069833B2 |
Reciprocating engine
A piston 2 includes a piston upper body 8 made up of a crown portion 3 for receiving combustion pressure and a land portion 7 having piston ring grooves 4, 5, and 6, as well as a skirt portion 9 formed on the lower side of the piston upper body 8, and a pin boss portion 11 for supporting a piston pin 10. The land portion 7 also includes an outer peripheral surface 16 of the aforementioned piston upper body 8. The land portion 7 is referred to as the outer peripheral surface 16 of the piston upper body 8. In the piston 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a thrust side, and reference numeral 13 denotes an anti-thrust side. The piston 2 is formed such that the piston upper body 8 is off-centered toward the anti-thrust side 13 with respect to a center line 14 of the piston 2. |
| US08069829B2 |
Hybrid vehicle system having engine with variable valve operation
A method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle including an internal combustion engine coupled in the vehicle, the engine having at least one cylinder with an intake and an exhaust valve, where the opening and closing timing of the intake valve is adjustably retardable and the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve is adjustably retardable via camshaft adjustments, during engine operation, an energy conversion device coupled in the vehicle capable of selectively supplying and absorbing torque during vehicle operation, and a transmission, the method comprising: adjustably retarding intake valve opening timing and intake valve closing timing from piston top dead center; and adjusting operation of the transmission and the energy conversion device to maintain engine speed sufficient to enable adjustment of said intake and exhaust valve timing. |
| US08069821B1 |
Animal bathing apparatus
The animal bathing apparatus is fully portable and enclosed by its base and hingedly attached case that overlappingly fits atop the base. Other components, when collapsed, fit within and above the base. The folding legs of the apparatus provide for an animal tender to reach within the front round edged cutout to bath an animal while either sitting upon a given chair or standing, without having to bend. An animal is adjustably tethered within the expanded apparatus so that hands of a tender are free for use in bathing. The water dispenser is mounted on a flexible neck and is height adjustable. The ideally rectangular base has an elevated border, with walls that may be transparent. |
| US08069810B2 |
Attachment device equipped with a whistle
An attachment device with a whistle comprises a securing device of a flexible joining strap and a release button, the assembly being housed in a hollow body made from plastic material. The hollow body is injection molded in a single part being subdivided into a first compartment housing the whistle and a second compartment housing the release button and a securing jaw. The latter is composed of a first jamming surface integral to the movable release button and a fixed second jamming surface molded together with the body, said part being open molded by means of a stop valve joined to the body of the compartment by a hinge. |
| US08069805B2 |
Mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device
A mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector having a first pivot axis and a coupler for coupling a mooring chain to the chain connector. The assembly further comprises a channel assembly attached to the floating device. The channel assembly have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking device is provided at the upper end of the channel assembly. The channel assembly extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location for the first pivot axis of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel assembly. The chain connector is movable in the channel assembly and a hoist is provided to move the chain connector between a first position, in which the first pivot axis is located in the bearing location of the channel assembly and a second position above the channel assembly, in which the coupler of the chain connector is accessible. |
| US08069803B1 |
Boat tiller restraining device
An improved tiller restraining device is provided for attachment to the underside of a boat's tiller to selectively control the position of the tiller and rudder. The device features a specialized mechanical clutch that grips or releases a control rope, which runs through the clutch and is secured across the cockpit. The device is operated with one hand by moving an integrated clutch lever upward to release the rope and allow free tiller movement, or downward to engage the rope and restrict tiller movement. Inside the device, a spring acts on the lever to pinch and bind the rope against the openings where the rope passes through the clutch housing. The spring and lever are aligned so they toggle, enabling the clutch to remain either engaged or disengaged with no additional controls. |
| US08069801B2 |
Apparatus for control of pivoting wing-type sail
A steerable wing-type sail system for a wind powered craft. The system includes first and second secondary airfoils and that are spaced outwardly to the sides of the plane of the main sail, and that are positioned rearwardly of the trailing edge of the sail. The secondary airfoils are selectively pivotable so as to steer the main sail in one direction or the other. The main sail is also provided with a pivoting flap at its trailing edge, which pivots simultaneously with and in the same direction as the secondary airfoils. The secondary airfoils are carried on elongate horizontal booms mounted near the mid-span height of the main sail. The secondary airfoils pivot about vertical axes at the distal ends of the booms, and are operated by control cables that are retracted and paid out by linear actuators or similar mechanisms. The craft may be multi-hull vessel, such as a catamaran. The control mechanism for the secondary airfoils may operate the airfoils in response to signals received from one or more onboard sensors. The system is suitable for use on an autonomous unmanned surface vessel (AUSV). |
| US08069797B2 |
Control of mercury emissions from solid fuel combustion
A system 26 for removing elemental mercury or mercury compounds handles carbonaceous sorbent 28 of a starter batch stored in a silo 30 in an agglomerated state. The sorbent 28 is fed by a feeder 32 to a separation device 34, which comminutes (if necessary) and de-agglomerates the sorbent particles 28 to their primary size distribution. This device 34 may be a particle-particle separator or a jet mill, where compressed air or high-pressure steam is the energy source. The de-agglomerated sorbent 28 of a contact batch created from the starter batch is conveyed by an airsteam for injection at a contact location 66 in a flue gas duct whereat carbonaceous sorbent of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas. |
| US08069796B2 |
Table with molded plastic table top
A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top. Alternatively, a second retaining assembly including a cross-brace member may be mounted in relation to the table top, wherein the distal end of the first pivotal support brace pivotally engages the first retaining member and the distal end of the second pivotal support brace pivotally engages the second retaining member. In addition, the first and second support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, wherein each support leg of the first and second support pedestals are laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collapsed position. |
| US08069789B2 |
Connector for electronic detonators
Fire, arm, and disarm signals are typically transmitted to electronic detonators via signal transmission lines. Traditionally, such signal transmission lines include wires wherein one end of each wire is soldered directly to printed circuit boards and/or other signal processing components retained within the shell of a detonator. Other ‘modular’ blasting apparatuses of the prior art provide means to connect signal transmission lines to detonators in the field. Signal transmission line/detonator contacts are susceptible to disruption, particularly when the signal transmission lines are subject to inadvertent tugging or tensile forces at the blast site. The present application discloses an electrical connector that enables secure connection between a signal transmission line and any detonator adapted to receive and optionally process electrical signals from the signal transmission line. Specifically, the electrical connector can be affixed to the signal input end of a detonator, and includes at least one bridge element to provide electrical contact between a signal transmission line, and internal electrical component(s) of the detonator. |
| US08069788B2 |
Method for providing printing formes at installation positions on one of a plurality of forme cylinders disposed in a printing press and for disposing of used printing formes from the printing press
Printing plates are prepared at installation positions on one of a plurality of plate cylinders disposed in a printing machine. A plurality of flat printing plates, which are provided for a printing process to be carried out by the printing machine itself, and which printing plates are themselves bendable, at least along their length, are provided at the outlet of a plate line which is spatially separated from the printing machine and which comprises at least one plate exposure device. Each of the printing plates is temporarily stored in a specific shelf of a mobile collection container that has a plurality of such shelves. The printing plates which are stored in the same mobile collection containers are prepared for installation positions of the same plate cylinder. Each shelf of each of the mobile collection containers storing one of the printing plates is selected based on the intended installation position of the respective printing plate on the respective plate cylinder using data that is provided by a control unit of a production planning system. The data is provided prior to the storing of the printing plates. The printing plates which are stored in the mobile collection container, and which are to be provided to the same plate cylinder, are conveyed to the printing machine in a pre-sorted storage condition. |
| US08069787B2 |
Printing couple, printing press, and methods for operating a printing couple
A printing group of a printing press includes at least one form cylinder that has at least one axially extending opening on the external surface of the cylinder. That at least one axially extending opening forms a channel in the cylinder and in which channel several printing form end retaining assemblies are provided. These retaining assemblies are provided in the channel on both sides of a center plane which bisects the form cylinder perpendicularly to its axis of rotation. A first one of these retaining assemblies that adjoins the center plane cooperates with a second retaining assembly, located on the other side of the center plane, to both engage the same printing form, in a first mode of operation. In a second mode of operation, the first retaining assembly cooperates with a third retaining assembly, that is located further away from the center plane, and on the same side thereof as the first retaining assembly, to engage a second printing form. |
| US08069781B2 |
Agricultural baler
An agricultural baling machine that includes a rotating element, a plunger, a guiding channel and a linking element. The plunger has a pivoting point. The pivoting point travels in the guiding channel. The guiding channel defines the longitudinal axis. The linking element is connected between the rotating element and the plunger. The plunger has a face configured to have a line of loading. The line of loading is generally normal to the longitudinal axis. The line of loading shifts across the face as the linking element drives the plunger generally in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08069777B2 |
Fryer
A fryer includes: a housing; an oil vat; a combusting and heating unit; an operational panel provided at a front face of the housing; and an exhaust pipe provided at a rear of the oil vat. A cooling path is defined at a rear of the operational panel in the housing. An external pipe is provided at a rear of the housing to surround the exhaust pipe and has an exhaust port of which the sectional opening area is narrowed at an upper end of the exhaust pipe. An air passage is defined by the housing and through which the cooling path and the external pipe are connected. |
| US08069773B2 |
Piston
A piston is equipped with a skirt that has a sliding surface provided with an oil repellent resin layer. A solid lubricating resin layer and the oil repellent resin layer are exposed on the sliding surface. On the sliding surface, the oil repellent resin layer extends at an incline with respect to the centerline of the sliding surface in a circumferential direction of the piston. |
| US08069769B2 |
Portable protection device
A portable protection system including a selectively collapsible truss for supporting a protection member. The truss is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The protection member includes at least one layer of ballistic armor material for disrupting a projectile. The truss includes suitable connectors for releasably connecting the protection member to the truss, and also suitable connectors for releasably connecting the truss to an adjoining truss so as to form a protection wall. |
| US08069766B2 |
Food dicer
A manual food dicer includes a frame equipped with a cross blade and two guiding rails, a carriage movable in translation, and a longitudinal cutting knife equipped with triangular blades, wherein the knife cooperates with positioning mechanism enabling it to be elastically mounted between a working position in which the triangular blades jut out over the upper surface of the frame, and wherein a retracted position in which the triangular blades are retracted, the translation of the carriage causing the knife to move into retracted position. |
| US08069763B2 |
Article slicer with integral pick and placer
Tomatoes (11) or other articles are placed over moving cutter blades (20) in article openings (46) of an article locator (44) of the article slicer (10). Article pushers (24) move downwardly and have downwardly extending pusher fins (26) for pushing the tomatoes though the cutter blades (20). The article pushers (24) have laterally extending front openings (36) for receiving a high pressure fluid spray for cleaning the fins (26) and cutter blades (20) without disassembling the components of the slicer. The article pushers (24) are carried by a movable support plate (78) between retracted positions behind the cutter blades (20) and extended positions over the cutter blades (20). A pick and placer (76) is carried by the same movable support plate (78) and moves simultaneously in the same lateral directions as the article pushers (24), between positions over the on-coming line of tomatoes (11) on an entrance conveyor (64) and over the cutter blades (20). |
| US08069759B2 |
Method and device for separating continuously conveyed material webs
Material webs (1), in particular printed products which are designed as two-ups or multiple-ups, are separated parallel to a conveyor direction (F) during an essentially continuous conveying, in that a waste strip is separated out of the material webs (1) in an alternating sequence of cutting steps. The material webs (1) in consecutive cutting steps, are cut in a shearing manner, and in an alternating manner on the one or the other side of the waste strip between essentially straight-lined cutting edges (3, 5) of the cutting knife (4) and the counter-knife (5). The cutting knives (4) are arranged around the periphery of a separating disk (2) rotating running in the same direction as the conveyor direction (F), wherein its cutting edges (3, 3′) lie in an alternating manner in the plane of the one and the other end-side of the separating disk (2). In each case, a stationary counter-knife (6) is aligned onto in each case one of the two end-sides of the separating disk (2). |
| US08069750B2 |
Compact pedal assembly with improved noise control
A compact vehicle pedal includes a mounting bracket having a lower arm with guide slot. A swing plate having a mounting face and upper arm with guide slot is pivotally interconnected to a mounting bracket upper arm at a first axis by a pivot pin disposed within the swing plate guide slot, and the swing plate upper end has a first degree of freedom. An electronically controlled pedal arm assembly is mounted on the swing plate. A screw member connected to a drive apparatus has an end connected to the swing plate and operatively connected to the mounting bracket slot at the second axis, and the swing plate lower end has a second degree of freedom that is greater than the first. Activation of the drive apparatus displaces the screw member to pivotally constrain movement of the swing plate about the first axis and the second axis. |
| US08069749B2 |
Shift control device for a bicycle transmission
A shift control apparatus for a bicycle comprises an output transmission member that moves to at least a first output position and a second output position, a position maintaining mechanism, and a release control mechanism. The position maintaining mechanism includes a position maintaining member that moves between a position maintaining position and a position release position, wherein the position maintaining position maintains the output transmission member in one of the first output position and the second output position. The position release position allows the output transmission member to move toward the other one of the first output position and the second output position. The release control mechanism includes a release member that moves between a first release member position and a second release member position. The release control mechanism moves the position maintaining member to the position release position as the release member moves from the first release member position toward the second release member position and allows the position maintaining member to return to the position maintaining position before the release member begins moving back toward the first release member position, or as the release member continues to move toward the second release member position. |
| US08069745B2 |
Power steering device including a compliant gear
A power steering device includes a first gear provided on the first shaft, the first gear having a centerline axis, and a second gear operatively connected to the first gear. The second gear includes a rotational axis that is maintained substantially coplanar with the centerline axis. The power steering device further includes a compliant member operatively connected with the second gear. The compliant member allows rotational compliance of the second gear while avoiding axial and radial compliance. |
| US08069742B2 |
Multi-group transmission of a motor vehicle
A motor vehicle transmission having at least two transmission groups and a method for operation of the transmission in which a mechanism is provided for maintaining traction force during gearshifts. A first friction clutch is an intermediate-gear clutch connected to a driveshaft of the motor and to a main transmission shaft which is connected with a transmission output shaft, the second friction clutch is a change-under-load clutch connected to the driveshaft and to a loose wheel of a second gear constant of a splitter group, and the third friction clutch is a change-under-load clutch connected with the driveshaft and with a loose wheel of a first gear constant of the splitter group. A direct connection can be formed in the transmission between the driveshaft and the main transmission shaft by way of the intermediate-gear clutch and the gear constants of the splitter group can be shifted, under load, by the change-under-load clutches. |
| US08069740B2 |
Starter motor
A screw mounting hole and a female screw part are formed in a bearing part of a gear cover, and the screw insertion hole is formed in the idle shaft. The idle shaft is fixed to the gear cover by inserting a fixing screw through the screw mounting hole and screwing it into the female screw part through the screw insertion hole. A positioning groove in a predetermined position in relation to the screw insertion hole is formed in the end face of the idle shaft. When the positioning groove is disposed perpendicularly to an engine mounting surface and the idle shaft is fitted to the gear cover, the screw mounting hole is opposed to the screw insertion hole and, when the fixing screw is fitted, the confirmation of hole positions and the aligning of holes can be eliminated. |
| US08069737B2 |
Force sensing system for a tensioned flexible member
A force sensing system comprising a force sensor cell with the necessary electronics to acquire and process various signals. The signals may provide force measurement data for activities performed, for instance, on a weight stack exercise machine. |
| US08069730B2 |
Pressure transducer structures suitable for curved surfaces
A novel flexible transducer structure is suitable for attaching to curved surface such as the leading edge of an aircraft wing. The structure comprises a thin flexible sheet of an insulating material with a leadless transducer secured to the sheet. The sheet is then placed over the curved surface and assumes the curvature of the surface. The transducer secured to the sheet provides an output of pressure according the pressure exerted on the sheet. The sheet basically is fabricated from a thin material such as Kapton and is flexible so as to assume the curvature of the surface with the transducer being exposed to pressure applied to the curved surface. The sensor in conjunction with the flexible sheet allows pressure to be measured without disturbing the air flow patterns of the measuring surfaces and because of its construction, is moisture resistant over a large variety of atmospheric conditions. |
| US08069725B2 |
Gravity gradiometer with torsion flexure pivots
A quadrupole responder for an OQR-type gravity gradiometer comprises a housing, and a mass quadrupole positioned within the housing. The mass quadrupole has a pair of sides, and also has a center of mass between the sides. The quadruple responder further comprises at least two torsion spring flexures. The torsion spring flexures are provided by pins connecting each side of the mass quadrupole to the housing. The torsion spring flexures provide an axis of rotation which passes through the center of mass of the mass quadrupole and through both torsion spring flexures. |
| US08069724B2 |
Filling level indicator having an explosion-proof housing
Filling level indicator having an explosion-proof housing comprising a glass and a metallic frame, wherein the glass is fused into the frame. |
| US08069723B2 |
Method of modifying a fluid level sensing assembly by replacing a mechanical float
A level sensing assembly senses the level of a fluid in a tank. The tank includes a fluid port that is disposed below the level of the fluid and an air port disposed above the level of fluid. The level sensing assembly includes a lower port in fluid communication with the fluid port of the tank. An upper port is in fluid communication with the lower port of the tank. A measuring vessel is disposed between the lower and upper ports and is in fluid communication therebetween. The measuring vessel includes an auxiliary port disposed adjacent the upper port. The level sensing assembly also includes a level sensor extending down through the auxiliary port into the measuring vessel to measure the level of the fluid in the measuring vessel and the level of the fluid in the tank. |
| US08069721B2 |
Radar level gauge system having limited transmission power
A radar level gauge system, for determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank, the radar level gauge system comprising a transceiver including a signal generator for generating electromagnetic signals for transmission; a transmitter branch for transmitting the electromagnetic signals; and a receiver branch for receiving electromagnetic signals, the transmitter branch and the receiver branch each being connected to a transceiver input/output terminal. The radar level gauge system further comprises a propagation device for allowing transmitted electromagnetic signals to propagate towards a surface of the product inside the tank, where signals are reflected, and for returning reflected electromagnetic signals back from the surface of the product; processing circuitry connected to the transceiver and configured to determine the filling level based on the reflected electromagnetic signals; and power level adjusting circuitry connected between the transceiver input/output terminal and the propagation device, and configured to adjust a power level of the transmitted electromagnetic signals by a transmission gain factor, and to adjust a power level of the returned reflected electromagnetic signals by a reception gain factor, the transmission gain factor being smaller than the reception gain factor, wherein the power level adjusting circuitry comprises at least one active component. |
| US08069720B2 |
Sensor housing with solar module for field device
A sensor housing for a field device includes a housing body and a solar module that may be put in place and removed. The solar module supplies the field device with electrical energy and may be placed on top of the housing body at various angles of rotation, as a result of which at the same time an electrical contact between the solar module and an energy storage device is provided. |
| US08069717B2 |
Method for diagnosing machine fault by analyzing hydraulic fluid
Method for monitoring conditions within a plurality of machines that receive fluid from a common source includes providing a supply line extending from the common source to an inlet at each of the machines. A return line is also provided that extends from an outlet at each of the machines to the common source to return fluid from each of the machines to the common source. A particulate filter is provided at the outlet of each of the machines so that each of the particulate filters will capture the particulates that were added to the fluid in the particular one of the machines with which that filter is associated. The particulate filters are periodically examined to determine the buildup of particulates that were generated within that particular machine. The particulate build up indicates whether or not a machine is in need of repair. |
| US08069714B2 |
Method to test a brake of a robot
In a method to test a brake of a robot that has a number of axes, an actuator associated with one of the axes, a brake associated with this axis that is set up to at least reduce a movement of this axis, and a torque sensor associated with this axis, which determines the torque acting on this axis. The brake is activated, the torque acting on the axis is determined by the torque sensor given an activated brake, and the functional capability of the brake is assessed in a processor based on an evaluation of the torque determined by the torque sensor. |
| US08069709B2 |
Ion-based triple sensor
An ion-based triple sensor is disclosed. The ion-based triple sensor may include an ion sensing unit, configured to measure an ionic current intensity, a pressure sensing unit, configured to measure a pressure, and a temperature sensing unit, configured to measure a temperature. The ion-based triple sensor may further include a signal processing unit coupled to the ion sensing unit, the pressure sensing unit and the temperature sensing unit. The signal processing unit may include a filtering component, configured to filter at least one of the ion, pressure and temperature measurements, and a data acquisition component, configured to sample the filtered measurements and communicate the samples to a controller. |
| US08069702B2 |
Rolling ball tack measuring apparatus
A measuring apparatus to measure adhesion of a tape includes a supporting plate slanting related to horizon, and a ball. The tape is attached to the supporting plate with an adhesive surface opposite to the supporting plate. The ball rolls on the tape along the supporting plate. The ball would be held by the tape according to the weight of the ball and the adhesion of the tape, thereby assessing the adhesion. The measuring apparatus further includes a base, a positioning mechanism mounted to the supporting plate, and an angle-adjusting mechanism engaging with the base and the supporting plate and capable of rotating related to the base to adjust a slanting angle of the supporting plate. The positioning mechanism includes a frame to releasably hold and position the ball. |
| US08069695B1 |
Work roll cleaning system and method of cleaning work rolls of a multi-roll leveler
A system and method for cleaning the work rolls of a multi-roll leveler. The system includes a roll cleaning drive system for driving one or both of a set of upper and lower work rolls against a cleaning pad placed therebetween. The roll cleaning drive system is disengageable with the work rolls to be driven thereby. The upper and lower work rolls are driven in opposite rotational directions so as not to eject the cleaning pad from the leveler. The rotational direction of the upper and lower work rolls may be periodically reversed to produce a scrubbing action on the work rolls. |
| US08069693B2 |
Floating J-hooks between two bushings in housing with a single piston
A lock mechanism for locking at least one door of a container in a closed position includes first and second members slidably coupled to each other to move relative to each other, a latching mechanism configured to prevent the two members from moving relative to each other in at least one direction when the latching mechanism is in a locked state, and first and second lock members, each of the lock members including a first end and a second end. The first ends of the first and second lock members protrude through the body. The second end of the first lock member is coupled to the first member of the locking mechanism and the second end of the second lock member being coupled to the second member of the locking mechanism. The first ends of the first and second lock members are configured to engage portions of the container to lock the at least one container door in a closed position. The body is sized and disposed to support the first and second lock members to prevent rotation of the first and second lock members about points where the first and second lock members are attached to the first and second members of the latching mechanism. The lock mechanism further includes a lock circuit at least partially enclosed within the body. The lock circuit includes a lock controller coupled to the latching mechanism and configured to receive commands related to the operation of the lock mechanism, wherein the lock controller is configured to cause the latching mechanism to be in the locked state in response to the received commands. |
| US08069689B2 |
Process and device for producing fire-polished gobs
A levitation process for producing fire-polished gobs is provided. The process includes feeding a glass slug into a levitation mold and reducing a through-flow of the fluid between the glass slug and the levitation mold. The levitation mold includes a membrane of a porous material. |
| US08069682B2 |
Air conditioner that corrects refrigerant quantity determination based on refrigerant temperature
An air conditioner performs a refrigerant quantity judging operation to judge the refrigerant quantity in a refrigerant circuit, and includes a heat source unit, utilization units, expansion mechanisms, a first refrigerant gas pipe, a second refrigerant gas pipe, a refrigerant liquid pipe, switching mechanisms, a temperature detector, and a controller. The heat source unit includes a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger. The first refrigerant gas pipe is connected to the discharge side of the compressor. The switching mechanism can switch between a first state and a second state. The temperature detector is mounted on the first refrigerant gas pipe, and configured to detect a refrigerant temperature on the first refrigerant gas pipe side and output a refrigerant temperature detection value. The controller corrects the refrigerant quantity judged by a refrigerant quantity judging operation based on the refrigerant temperature detection value. |
| US08069681B1 |
Dehumidifier, cross-flow heat exchanger and method of making a cross-flow heat exchanger
A cross-flow heat exchanger, method of making a cross-flow heat exchanger, and a dehumidifier are provided. The cross-flow heat exchanger has an axial flow path extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet and a transverse flow path oriented transversely to the axial flow path and extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet. The transverse flow path is adjacent to and separate from the axial flow path. The surface area of the inlet of the axial flow path is less than the surface area of the outlet of the axial flow path. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger has an exterior shape that is trapezoidal. |
| US08069679B2 |
Installation for cryogenic cooling for superconductor device
The invention concerns an installation for cryogenic cooling comprising: a main reservoir (1) for a two-phase cryogenic fluid wherein is immersed a superconductor device (4) to be cooled; an auxiliary reservoir (9); and a hydrostatic duct between the bases of the main and auxiliary reservoirs; the auxiliary reservoir being arranged relative to the main reservoir and being dimensioned so as to be able to receive at least a large part of the cryogenic fluid present in liquid form (2) in the main reservoir; restricting means (11) being incorporated in an output manifold (7a) connected to the main reservoir; thus, when the superconductor gets rapidly heated, cryogenic liquid from the main reservoir is delivered, by the vaporized cryogenic fluid pressure, into the auxiliary reservoir wherefrom it flows again by gravity towards the main reservoir when the pressure of the vaporized fluid decreases. |
| US08069670B2 |
Combustion chamber wall
A combustion chamber wall in a combustion chamber is proposed, The chamber wall has a support structure with a number of heat shield which are attached to the support structure with the aid of a fastening unit. The fastening unit encompasses a spring device which is fixedly connected to the support structure and is composed at least of a spring that is mounted in a jacket. The spring is secured against falling out on the side facing away from the combustion chamber by a first removable retainer. The interior of the spring device is provided with an axial hole for accommodating the fastening unit. The spring is secured against falling out on the side facing the combustion chamber by a second removable retainer. The spring device can be dismounted on the side facing the combustion chamber. |
| US08069666B1 |
System for generating shaft horsepower using waste heat
One or more systems for generating shaft horsepower by using waste heat from combustion exhaust are provided herein. The system can include a heat recovery silencer, a turbine, a compressor, a combustion source, and a control system. |
| US08069663B2 |
Method and system for turbocharging an engine
A method for improving operation of a turbocharged engine is presented. In one embodiment, the method may reduce engine emissions and improve engine efficiency during an engine start. |
| US08069658B2 |
Methods for estimating particulate load in a particulate filter, and related systems
A method for regenerating a particulate filter may comprise calculating a first estimated soot load of a particulate filter based on a pressure drop of an exhaust gas flowing through the particulate filter, and calculating a second estimated soot load of the particulate filter based on a mass balance of soot in the particulate filter. The method may further comprise calculating a hybrid estimated soot load based on the first estimated soot load and the second estimated soot load, wherein calculating the hybrid estimated soot load comprises applying at least one gate so as to weight a relative contribution of each of the first estimated soot load and the second estimated soot load to the hybrid estimated soot load, and causing regeneration of the particulate filter when the hybrid estimated soot load is greater than or equal to a threshold value. |
| US08069657B2 |
Diesel particulate filter regeneration system
A diesel combustion engine comprises multiple particulate filters and corresponding exhaust piping and valving in the exhaust manifold and/or exhaust line, configured to enable regeneration to occur in one of the DPF filters through heating the exhaust from a single cylinder of the engine, while the exhaust from the remaining cylinders is temporarily routed through the other DPF filter during the regeneration event. Flow redirection devices are placed within the DPF filters to direct flow of exhaust gas through the DPF filters during regeneration in a manner to facilitate complete regeneration, including in outer volumes along the interior walls of the DPF filters. |
| US08069656B2 |
Method of controlling hydrocarbon accumulation in a particulate filter under certain operating conditions
One embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an internal combustion engine system comprising an engine, an oxidation catalyst, and a particulate filter, the method comprising: determining if the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below a first temperature, measuring the time that the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below the first temperature, determining if the measured time has exceeded a first time period, and if so, elevating the temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the oxidation catalyst. |
| US08069655B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for using a fraction of engine exhaust to deliver a dosant
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for delivering a dosant with engine exhaust. The apparatus includes a flow-rate regulator disposed downstream from an engine exhaust manifold that operates to control a fraction of exhaust from the engine exhaust manifold. The apparatus also includes a doser disposed downstream of the flow-rate regulator that provisions a supply of dosant to the path of the controlled fraction of exhaust, which atomizes, vaporizes, disperses, mixes with, and/or delivers the dosant. |
| US08069651B2 |
Machine, engine system and operating method
A method of operating an engine system includes compressing intake air, restricting exhaust flow from the engine via a flow restriction device, and supplying compressor air to a compressed air subsystem of the engine during restricting exhaust flow. Supplying of compressor air may occur by selectively actuating a pressure control device to fluidly connect an inlet of a compressed air subsystem with the compressor. An associated machine and engine system include a compressor, a flow restriction device, a compressed air subsystem and a pressure control device to selectively fluidly connect the compressed air subsystem with the compressor when the flow restriction device is in a relatively more closed configuration. |
| US08069649B2 |
Exhaust emission purifying apparatus for engine
When a concentration measured by a sensor is lower than a predetermined threshold, it is judged that a liquid is any different type of aqueous solution, and also, it is judged whether or not the different type discrimination is adequate. When the discrimination is adequate, the number of different type discriminating times is counted up based on a predetermined counted value, and when the number thereof is equal to or larger than a determination threshold, the different type discrimination is determined. At this time, at least one of the predetermined counted value and the determination threshold is dynamically set based on a liquid level of a reducing agent tank, so that the counting and/or the different type discriminating determination is performed considering convection which is changed according to a level change to thereby discriminate with high precision whether or not the liquid is the different type of aqueous solution. |
| US08069646B2 |
Gas turbine system having an air intake bypass system and an air discharge bypass system
A pressure vessel bypass valve forms a bypass system for enabling a part of the air compressed by a compressor to directly flow into a combustor while preventing the part of the air from flowing through a humidification tower and a recuperator. A turbine bypass valve forms another bypass system for enabling a part of a humidified air to be discharged to an exhaust duct after a heat exchange between the humidified air and a turbine exhaust gas is performed in the recuperator while preventing the part of the humidified air from flowing through a turbine. A turbine control system controls the bypass valves to be opened and closed in accordance with increase and decrease of the load. |
| US08069645B2 |
Link chain
The invention relates to a link chain having two or more rows of chain elements, wherein the chain elements of one row are rotatably connected to those of the adjacent row in the chain plane in such a way that each chain element has two rotational axes, of which in each case one of the two rotational axes belongs to two different chain elements in adjacent rows, and that the chain elements of one row are connected to one another by means of toothed devices at their ends in such a way that the chain is flexible in the chain plane. The chain elements at one end of the link chain are likewise provided, at their outer side, with a toothed device, which is in engagement with an actuator. The actuator is a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electromotive actuator or a manual drive actuator. The actuator may have a latching fitting, wherein the latching fitting is provided with a toothed surface that is in engagement with a toothed surface of a chain element in one row. The latching fitting may also be provided with a latching lug which is pivotably connected thereto and which can be locked in different angle positions. The latching fitting may also have a connection plate that has a toothed surface which is in engagement with a toothed surface of a chain element of the other row. |
| US08069644B2 |
Helically-wound electric cable
A method of manufacturing an electric cable includes winding together two groups in such a manner as to form a group helix, each group having two twisted-together conductor wires, and where the groups are wound together at a speed that varies between two limit speeds having the same sign and in such a manner that the pitch of the group helix varies along the cable between two limit values having the same sign. |
| US08069641B2 |
Harvesting machine for small fruit produced in orchards
A shaking system for a harvesting head used in picking fruit from orchards has a fruit separating assembly with a lower subassembly and an upper subassembly. The upper subassembly is positioned rearwardly of said lower subassembly at a higher level than the lower subassembly. First and second oscillating drive shafts are independently and drivingly connected to the respective first and second subassemblies. |
| US08069639B2 |
Wheel height adjuster for walk-behind mower
A mower is provided that includes a height-adjuster assembly that adjustably connects the ground engaging wheel to the housing of the mower at an adjustable height from the ground. The height-adjuster assembly includes a bracket fixed to the housing, an arm, a sleeve, a wheel mount, a pin, and a handle. The arm is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and the bracket about a pivot point. The sleeve is fixed to the arm for rotation with the arm relative to the housing and the bracket about the pivot point. A handle overlays the pin and the sleeve. The handle is configured to be grasped by a user for movement along a first direction to move the pin from a first position into a second position. Upon reaching the second position, the handle and the sleeve can be rotated to rotate the ground engaging wheel relative to the housing. |
| US08069637B2 |
Bag sealing system and method
A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. A. vacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck. A cutoff knife blade severs the end of the bag beyond a sealed area, which extends across its neck. |
| US08069633B2 |
Non-combustible reinforced cementitious lightweight panels and metal frame system for flooring
A flooring system including horizontal metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, HAMBRO or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The flooring system is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres. |
| US08069631B2 |
Flooring and method for laying and manufacturing the same
A flooring includes rectangular floorboards with long sides and short sides, the floorboards being joined in a herringbone pattern, long side to long side and long side to short side, wherein the floorboards have a surface layer of laminate, and the long sides of the floorboards have pairs of opposing mechanical connectors which at least allow locking-together both horizontally and vertically by inward angling. |
| US08069629B2 |
Process for manufacturing insulated siding
A siding panel assembly includes an ornamental facing and a first insulation layer made from fibrous insulating material. That fibrous insulating material includes polymer fibers and glass fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers and mixtures thereof. A method for making the siding panel assembly includes the steps of cutting a groove in and molding a first surface of a sheet of the insulation layer to match in profile a concavity in the ornamental facing and assembling the insulation layer and the ornamental facing. |
| US08069622B2 |
Systems and methods for finishing a penetration in a concrete structure during construction
Jamb connectors for finishing a penetration in concrete or masonry construction, the jamb connectors coupling a first jamb with a second jamb that is adjacent to the first jamb and having a first portion with two segments lying substantially in a same plane and positioned at a predetermined angle from each other, each first portion segment being configured for coupling with an associated surface portion of an associated one of the first and second jambs, and a second portion having two segments that are each coupled to corresponding segments of the first portion, each second portion lying at an angle equal to the predetermined angle from the other second portion and second portion being configured for positioning about the intermediate portions of one of the first and second jambs. |
| US08069620B2 |
Height-adjustable, structurally suspended slabs for a structural foundation
To form a new structurally suspended slab or to raise an existing slab for a structural foundation, structural supports are placed in the ground. The structural supports are attached to lifting assemblies, which are also installed in the slab. Actuation of the lifting assembly allows the slab to be raised and/or lowered, thereby forming a suspended slab over a void of a desired size. Existing slabs may be repaired using similar techniques. |
| US08069611B2 |
Door pane position sensor assembly
A sensor assembly and method includes a window regular mechanism having a main lift arm supporting the pane and a drive mechanism. The main lift arm includes a sector gear plate that is drivingly rotated by the drive mechanism. A slot defined in the sector gear plate receives a guide of a sensor mechanism. The guide is moved along the slot as the sector gear plate is rotated such that the guide is moved into a first portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a first rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its closed position and moved into a second portion of the slot when the sector gear plate is driven in a second, opposite rotatable direction to move the window pane toward its open position. |
| US08069610B2 |
Adjustable window lifter guide rail
A device and method for adjusting a mounting position of a window lifter guide rail of a motor vehicle window, particularly in a frameless motor vehicle door. The device comprises a locking member which includes a lower member, an upper member, and a screw that extends through the locking member. The screw is in engagement with a nut that may be rotated to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a vertical direction. The upper and lower members may also be moved relative to one another to adjust the mounting position of the guide rail in a horizontal direction. |
| US08069608B1 |
Mushroom compost compacting system and method
A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle. |
| US08069607B2 |
Gun sight configured for providing range estimation and/or bullet drop compensation
A front sight has a main body, a sight post body carrier, and a sight post body. The main body has an engagement structure for having a sight post body carrier movably engaged therewith and has a mounting structure for being attached to a weapon. The sight post body carrier is moveably engaged with the engagement structure of the main body in a manner allowing the sight post body carrier to be selectively translated at least partially along a length of the engagement structure and limiting unrestricted movement of the sight post body carrier in other directions. The sight post body includes a plurality of different length sight posts. The sight post body is moveably mounted on the sight post body carrier in a manner allowing each one of the sight posts to be selectively moved to a sight post use position with respect to the main body. |
| US08069605B2 |
Gun equipped with camera
A stun gun is disclosed having a firing mechanism, and also having a camera for automatically capturing post-firing images after the firing mechanism is activated. The post-firing image is automatically and digitally marked, or partly marked, to indicate when the camera was used. A method of gun operation is also presented, along with a system that includes both the gun and a gun holder. Removal of the gun from the gun holder may activate the camera's visual or audio collection capabilities, and further actions such as removal of a gun safety may heighten activation of the camera. The camera's visual collection capabilities include viewing both the target and also the user of the gun. |
| US08069604B2 |
Hand-guard / barrel nut clamp assembly for tactical firearm
A hand-guard and barrel nut clamping assembly for tactical firearms and other mechanical equipment that is subject to frequent or sustained vibration or shock, such as when a firearm is subjected to sustained rapid fire and/or the firearm is handled roughly. A small generally half-moon shaped anti-rotation clamping member is secured to a hand-guard support element or other suitable structure by socket head cap screws and is secured in frictional contact with components of the hand-guard mount and a barrel nut. The anti-rotation clamping member functions as a key to “tie” the barrel nut and hand-guard nut together, simultaneously preventing either one from rotating, and thus preventing inadvertent vibration or shock induced loosening of either the hand-guard retainer nut or the barrel nut. The anti-rotation clamping member is also keyed onto the front of the upper receiver by a slot into which a portion of the receiver is engaged. Alignment pins in the hand-guard support element also key a barrel nut against inadvertent rotation and further ensure against loosening of the barrel nut by vibration and shock. |
| US08069601B1 |
Ammunition magazine
The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a glass fiber reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine. |
| US08069600B2 |
Multi-caliber bolt for a firearm
A bolt for a firearm is described that can be used to chamber, extract, and/or eject different cartridges that have different outside rim diameters. In one embodiment, the bolt includes a bolt head that is configured to engage the rearward end of a plurality of different cartridges. The bolt may include an extractor that is configured to engage the rims of the plurality of cartridges and/or an ejector that is configured to bias the cartridge case out of an ejection port of the firearm. |
| US08069597B2 |
Multipurpose advertisement board
Disclosed is a multipurpose advertisement board having a film between glass plates of a double glazed window, wherein pieces of steel wire are provided to respective ends of the film and the pieces of steel wire can be wound around winding rollers, so that the multipurpose advertisement board can display a variety of patterns printed on the film, and also can act as a normal glass window. The multipurpose advertisement board includes a double glazed window that includes two or more glass plates, a film moving in the space of the double glazed window, an upper winding roller and a lower winding roller installed at the upper and lower portions of the double glazed window for winding the film, pieces of steel wire connected to the left and right ends of the film, and steel wire winding grooves provided to the upper and lower winding rollers. |
| US08069594B2 |
Clamping piece structure
A clamping piece structure includes a one-piece clamping piece body (10). The body (10) includes a first folding piece portion (11), a second folding piece portion (12), a third folding piece portion (13), and a connecting piece portion (14). A first bending portion (15) is provided at a central section of an edge of the first folding piece portion (11) for interconnection with the connecting piece portion (14). A second bending portion (16) is provided at the other edge of the first folding piece portion (11) for interconnection with the second folding piece portion (12). A third bending portion (17) is provided at an edge of the second folding piece portion (12) for interconnection with the third folding piece portion (13). An engagement section (141) is provided at an outer edge of the connecting piece portion (14). An opening (121) is formed in a central section of the second folding piece portion (12). The connecting piece portion (14) is insertable through the opening (121). Thus, the connecting piece portion (14) can be inserted through the opening (121), and the engagement section (141) at the end of the connecting piece portion (14) can be engaged with the third folding piece portion (13). The structure can easily be assembled with reliable effect. |
| US08069593B2 |
Excavator bucket top assembly
An excavator bucket top assembly can be completed as an assembly before being attached to other components to form an excavator bucket. The top assembly includes a flat bottom plate and a top plate with two bends, each having relatively simple geometry for ease of manufacturing. Two hinge plates penetrate through the top plate and are joined to both the bottom plate and the top plate. The top assembly includes strategically positioned, continuous weld joints to avoid weld starts and stops that create stress risers. The top assembly produces a torque tube which is stiff and resistant to fatigue. |
| US08069589B2 |
Footwear with lighted laces
An article of footwear is provided having a decorative lighting arrangement wherein one or more LEDs are mounted within the interior of one or more sleeves, having the appearance of a shoelace, which are located in the toe portion of the shoe. |
| US08069584B2 |
Anti-static sole
An anti-static sole is provided with a pad body between a midsole and an insole. In the pad body is provided a chip resistor. The chip resistor includes a connecting pin at each of two opposite ends thereof. The two connecting pins of the chip resistor are electrically connected to the insole and the midsole, respectively. Since the chip resistor has no exposed wires, damage to the wires is avoided. Further, the anti-static effect can be improved since the resistance of the chip resistor is stable. |
| US08069583B1 |
Shoe with replacement sole cartridges
A shoe with replaceable shoe cartridges includes a shoe frame having a forefoot portion, a middle portion extending from the forefoot portion and a heel portion extending from the middle portion; a sole provided on the shoe frame; a forefoot sole cartridge removably engaging the sole at the forefoot portion of the shoe frame; and a heel sole cartridge removably engaging the sole at the heel portion of the shoe frame. |
| US08069575B2 |
Vegetation pruning device
A vegetation pruning device (2) includes a pair (4,6) of pivotally coupled arms. A motor bracket (36) with a rotary output drive (34) provides drive to a cutting element (8) which is coupled to the rotary output drive (34). The cutting element (8) is arranged for cutting vegetation (44) presented thereto. |
| US08069574B2 |
Rotary cutter for mower
A rotary cutter for a mower is described including at least one cord of a predetermined length extending from the cutting head driven for rotation, and at least one fastening element for fixing one end of the cord to the cutting head main body. The fastening element includes a pair of ratchets. Each ratchet pivots for turning on the main body and is constantly applied with a rotational force in a predetermined direction by a spring. The cord is clamped and fastened by the ratchets. An inner end portion of the cord inserted from the sidewall of the main body is fastened by the fastening element, and the cord is removed and replaced with a new cord when the cord is worn out. The fastening element including a pair of ratchets with each ratchet of the pair including at least two or more sheets of laminated ratchets. |
| US08069564B2 |
Alignment jig and alignment apparatus for liquid-jet head and method for producing liquid-jet head
An alignment jig for a liquid-jet head, which is used when positioning and joining a nozzle plate and a fixing member, the nozzle plate having nozzle orifices for jetting a liquid of the liquid-jet head and an alignment mark for alignment, the fixing member being adapted to hold a plurality of the liquid-jet heads, the alignment jig comprising a mask which is a transparent member provided with a reference mark for alignment with the alignment mark, the reference mark being formed within the mask. |
| US08069557B2 |
Method of manufacturing circuit forming board
In a method of manufacturing a circuit forming board, a first sheet having a first direction is transferred in a second direction, so that the first direction of the first sheet is parallel to the second direction. Films are stuck onto both surfaces of the first sheet while transferring the first sheet in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction of the first sheet. This method allows a connecting member, such as conductive paste, to electrically couple between layers of the circuit forming board. |
| US08069555B2 |
Manufacturing method utilizing a dual layer winding pattern
A method of manufacturing a three-phase, four pole motor is provided utilizing a dual-layer winding insertion technique. The first and second winding layers are each comprised of the coil groups for six individual poles, two per phase. Within each layer, the two poles per phase are members of a pole pair. In one configuration, each winding layer is comprised of six concentric coil groups in which there is no coil overlap; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with either the first or second or both outermost coils of each group being double-turn coils; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with no coil doubling, although there are overlapping coils from different coil groups; alternately, each coil group may be comprised of five coils with no coil doubling and no overlap between different coil groups, although the coils within each coil group are completely lap wound. |
| US08069554B2 |
Assembly and method for installing a disc clamp
The application discloses an assembly tool for installing a disc clamp on a spindle hub. In the illustrated embodiments, the assembly tool includes a head including an inner portion, an intermediate portion and an outer portion configured to install a disc clamp on a spindle motor assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner portion includes a raised portion and datum surface that interface with the spindle hub to align the spindle hub for installation of the disc clamp. |
| US08069548B2 |
Method of producing a vehicle tailight indicator that includes a polystyrene foam core by sheet metal bending and fastening of the polystyrene foam core
A vehicle taillight indicator which provides an easy way for a driver to check the taillights of his or her vehicle on a regular basis, from within the vehicle, is composed of an elongated V shaped housing with two V shaped end covers with attached mounting brackets and the edge opposite the V angle of each end cover curved to accommodate an elongated rectangular shaped convex reflector which is viewable in the side opposite the V shaped angle of the housing. The taillight indicator is fastened vertically to an object so that its convex reflector is observed in the rear view mirror or side view mirror of a vehicle. Each operating taillight of a vehicle is reflected as a vertical red line in the convex reflector. A vehicle with two operating taillights will reflect two parallel vertical red lines in the convex reflector of the taillight indicator. |
| US08069547B2 |
Installation-ready pipe coupling method of manufacture
A method of manufacturing an installation-ready pipe coupling is disclosed. The method includes providing pipe coupling segments each having an initial radius of curvature and an initial subtended angle. The segments are each deformed so as to take a permanent set and have a final radius of curvature greater than the initial radius of curvature and a final subtended angle smaller than the initial subtended angle. The deformed segments are assembled in end-to-end relation using adjustably tightenable fasteners to form a coupling. The deformed segments are maintained in spaced relation so that pipe elements can be inserted between them without disassembly of the coupling. |
| US08069545B2 |
Method for changeover of a blow molding machine
A method for changeover of a blow molding machine without a long dead time is disclosed. The blow molding machine includes a plurality of blow mold holders, each of which carries a multi-part blow mold. At least one part of the blow mold is connected with a media supply. At first, at least two working areas are being assigned at the blow molding machine. Different processes are carried out at each working area. The blow mold holder is opened at least at the first working area and/or the media supplies are released. The parts of the blow mold are removed from the blow mold holder at a second working area and are replaced with a blow mold of another type. |
| US08069544B2 |
Device for extracting a quick-change tool holder
A retraction tool for removing the shank of a tool holder from a base block mounting includes an elongate threaded member having a hook threaded on one end thereof. The hook has a hook end for holding to the forward end of a tool holder. A hammer moveable along the length of the elongate member impacts against said stop for pulling said tool holder from said base block mounting. |
| US08069543B2 |
Method of manufacturing piezoelectric vibrator, piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic device, and radio clock
There is provided a piezoelectric vibrator 1 that includes a base substrate 2, a lid substrate 3, a piezoelectric vibrating reed 4, a pair of external electrodes 38 and 39, a pair of through electrodes 32 and 33, and routing electrodes 36 and 37. The lid substrate 3 includes a recess 3a for a cavity and is bonded to the base substrate so that the recess faces the base substrate. The piezoelectric vibrating reed 4 is bonded to the upper surface of the base substrate so as to be received in a cavity that is formed between both the substrates. The pair of external electrodes 38 and 39 is formed on the lower surface of the base substrate. The pair of through electrodes 32 and 33 is formed by hardening paste P, which contains a plurality of metal fine particles and a plurality of metal beads P1, so as to pass through the base substrate, maintains airtightness in the cavity, and is electrically connected to the pair of external electrodes, respectively. The routing electrodes 36 and 37 are formed on the upper surface of the base substrate and electrically connect the pair of through electrodes to the piezoelectric vibrating reed. The melting point of the metal bead is higher than the firing temperature of the paste. |
| US08069539B2 |
Universal end fitting and fastener assembly comprising such an end fitting
An end fitting comprises a spigot end designed for reversibly fixing a wire rope to any type of functional part integral with or attached to a socket end. This spigot end is defined by an outer shell which is cylindrical overall; the shell comprising at least one fin. The spigot end comprises an axial housing designed to accommodate the wire rope. The shell has at least one through opening capable of accommodating an element for attaching said wire rope such as a pin or a rope fastener which passes through the wire rope. The spigot end is designed to cooperate with said socket end like a bayonet. |
| US08069537B2 |
Fastener products and related methods
Fastener products and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the fastener products include an elongate strap defining an aperture and a row of projections extending from the elongate strap. A portion of the elongate strap including one or more of the projections can be passed through the aperture to retain the fastener product in a fastened state. |
| US08069535B2 |
Hinge assembly and foldable electronic device using the same
A hinge assembly includes a shaft, a tube, an acting member, a friction member, a rotating shaft, and a resilient member. The tube is rotatably sleeved on the shaft. The shaft defines at least one receiving hole. The friction member is positioned in the receiving hole. The rotating shaft extends through the acting member and the shaft to connect the acting member to the shaft rotatably. The resilient member causes the friction member to resist the tube and the acting member. A foldable electronic device applying the hinge assembly is also provided. |
| US08069533B2 |
Coupling device for a baby crib frame structure
A coupling device is adapted to be connected foldably to a pair of frame rods of a baby crib frame structure. The coupling device includes a coupling seat, two rod coupling components adapted to be connected respectively to the frame rods and coupled movably to the coupling seat, two locking components connected movably to the coupling seat for preventing and permitting movement of the rod coupling components, and a release unit. The release unit includes a linking component extending between the locking components and formed with two guide holes, a pair of coupling pins extending respectively through and movable respectively along the guide holes and connected respectively to the locking components, and a biasing member. The linking component is movable from an initial position to drive movement of the locking components to permit movement of the rod coupling components, and is biased by the biasing member to the initial position. |
| US08069532B2 |
Reinforced grommet for cured in place liner
Method and apparatus for forming a grommet assembly to seal and reinforce holes through a cured in place liner for securing a cable. A first grommet base having a centrally located aperture with wedge shaped grooves is positioned on one side of the hole. A barrel having two opposed sets of wedge shaped projections is inserted into the grommet base and a second grommet base is placed on the barrel and pushed towards the liner until the second base firmly contacts the top surface of the liner and compresses the liner against the first base. The wedge shaped projections on the barrel and the complimentary grooves in the central apertures of the grommet bases prevent the barrel from being pulled out of either grommet base. The end of the barrel which projects out above the second base is cut off flush with the top surface. A hydraulic press to install the grommet assembly is also disclosed. |
| US08069530B2 |
Triple-bearing bristled roller with comprehensive thread guard system
A spinning bristled roller assembly for the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner or other carpet cleaning apparatus. The roller assembly includes three bearings protected by a comprehensive thread guard system. The three bearing system, in combination with the structure of the tubular roller body and bearing housing provides an assembly having inherently improved balance characteristics that eliminate the prior need for dynamic balancing to ensure vibration-free operation. |
| US08069528B2 |
Wiper lever comprising a wiper arm and a wiper blade which is connected to the same in an articulated manner
A wiper lever (10) with a wiper arm (12) and a wiper blade (14) linked to it to clean windows of motor vehicles in particular is proposed, whose wiper blade is provided with a band-like, long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element (22) that is curved in the longitudinal direction over its band surfaces (26, 28), which features a rubber elastic wiper strip (30) that can be applied to the window on its concave-curved band surface (26), on whose convex-curved band surface (28) an articulated part (20) sits, on which an adapter (40) is positioned so that it can move in a pendulum fashion, which has walls (42) aligned in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade and standing on the band surfaces of the supporting element (22) with planes situated at a distance from one another, and locking means (72) are arranged on the adapter that are moveable against a restoring force, which cooperate with counter-locking means (66) of the wiper arm. A particularly operationally reliable connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade to form the wiper lever is achieved if the locking means are arranged on at least one of the two walls (42) and are moveable essentially transverse to the surfaces of these walls. |
| US08069527B2 |
Wiper blade and vehicle wiper
A washer nozzle provided in a wiper blade has a first ejection hole ejecting a first washer fluid, and a second ejection hole ejecting a second washer fluid. A first ejection axis, which is a center line of a first ejection port angle of the first ejection hole, is define. A second ejection axis, which is a center line of a second ejection port angle of the second ejection hole, is defined. The washer nozzle is structured such that the first ejection axis and the second ejection axis intersect with each other as seen from a width direction of the wiper blade. |
| US08069524B2 |
Toothbrush
A brush head, in particular a toothbrush, with a base carrier (1) formed from a soft elastic material in which connecting elements comprising separate support rings (2) separated from one another and bearing a plurality of bristle tufts (4) are embedded, each of the rings having a bristle tuft threaded through. Preferably the bristle tuft can move axially in the support ring and is supported resiliently by the soft elastic material. |
| US08069523B2 |
Site scrub brush
The site scrub brush is made of a block of foam material, such as a semi-closed hydrophilic polyurethane medical grade foam, with a thin layer of sealing material, such as any plastic polymer which is non-permeable in nature, about the periphery and bottom. The brush is compressible under finger pressure to enhance the scrubbing action of the brush on the outer surfaces of a luer received by the brush. |
| US08069521B2 |
Hand-held electrical conductor cleaning apparatus
A hand-held electrical conductor cleaning apparatus including a frame having a handle section and a tube section; an abrasive member movably mounted in the tube section; a motor adapted to move the abrasive member inside the tube section; a battery connected to the motor; and a user control for actuating the motor. |
| US08069517B1 |
Combination portable diaper changer and disposable bag dispenser
A combination diaper changer and dispenser is provided, particularly for “on-the-go” diapering. A generally trifold structure of sheet material has an inside surface side and an outside surface side, and includes an intermediate panel serving as a rear cover when the structure is folded, a first end panel serving as a front cover when the structure is folded, and a second end panel serving as a diaper changing surface when unfolded. A bag dispenser compartment is secured to the intermediate panel on the inside surface side. The dispenser compartment includes a dispensing aperture for withdrawing bags. |
| US08069516B2 |
Space saver pillow system and method for making the same
A space saver pillow system comprises a space saver pillow and a bag. The space saver pillow includes a fill and a covering surrounding and enclosing the fill. The fill of the space saver pillow is adapted to generally rebound back to its natural state after being compressed. The bag encloses the space saver pillow and an amount of air. The space saver pillow enclosed in the bag is compressed no more than about 80% of its original size. |
| US08069512B2 |
Adjustable bed frame
An adjustable bed frame assembly includes a center frame comprising two substantially parallel side frame members connected by two substantially parallel connector frame members, a forward connector frame member and a rear connector frame member, wherein the two connector frame members are located within approximately a center one-third of the length of the side frame members. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes a base frame that includes a plurality of legs for mounting on a floor is rigidly affixed to the center frame such that the center frame does not move with respect to the base frame. The adjustable bed frame assembly further includes a head frame that comprises two substantially parallel side frame members connected by at least one connector frame member, wherein two lower ends of the head frame's parallel side frame members are pivotally attached to the forward connector frame member of the center frame; in addition, a downwardly facing extension frame member is attached to the head frame's connector frame. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes an actuator for raising and lowering the head frame, wherein one end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the head frame's extension frame member and an opposing end of the actuator is connected to the center frame's rear connector frame member. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes a mattress platform affixed to a top side of the head frame to provide support to a head portion of a mattress. |
| US08069511B1 |
Powered emergency medical transporter
A gurney includes a platform connected to a frame by two pairs of X-connected arms configured to reduce the amount of power required to raise the platform from its lowest position relative to the frame. A voltage doubling circuit is provided to approximately double the voltage applied to the motor to allow the platform to be raised and lowered relatively faster than normal. A rotating shaft in an internally threaded nut moves a cross beam to raise or lower the platform. The nut has interior bearings to reduce the friction between the shaft and the nut. A detent mechanism and a brake structure provide fail-safe locking of the platform at a plurality of heights. |
| US08069510B2 |
Spring system for upholstery, mattresses or the like
A spring system in particular for upholstery and/or mattresses of push-carriage seats, furniture for sitting on or lying on or the like, having a plurality of successively spaced-apart slats (20), in particular resilient slats, and having supporting bodies (21) for supporting the slats directly or indirectly on a carrying structure. The bearing points or bearing regions (27) of the slats (20), in which the slats (20) are supported by the supporting bodies (21), are arranged exclusively between the slat ends (31, 32). |
| US08069507B2 |
Adjustable curved shower curtain rod assembly
A shower curtain support system includes a first rod having a first arcuate portion and a first end portion and a second rod having a second arcuate portion and a second end portion. The second arcuate portion is telescopically mounted within the first arcuate portion. A first end support is removably and pivotably mounted to the first end portion and a second end support is removably and pivotably mounted to the second end portion. |
| US08069505B2 |
Jet for water containment vessels
A jet face for a jet has a plurality of detents configured to aid gripping the face for rotational operation. The jet face can also include a mounting coupling to accept a removable element. The removable element can be configured as a ring-shaped element, and the coupling a groove sized to accept the element. |
| US08069504B1 |
Bladder for winterizing a swimming pool
An inflatable domed pool bladder for use when winterizing swimming pools is herein disclosed, comprising a large inflatable bladder which covers the entire pool surface wherein a center of the dome is higher than the sides. In this manner when a conventional pool cover is installed over the bladder, it is kept above the level of the side walls of the swimming pool and any rain, snow, leaves or other debris are unable to accumulate. The bladder prevents water from pooling on the cover, reducing the risk of drowning by young children or pets. Also, a potential cost savings results from improved water retention efficiency within the swimming pool. |
| US08069503B2 |
Water refilling device for water saving toilets
A quantitative refill device is mounted on the top end of an overflow pipe in a water tank of a water saving toilet and comprises a first pipe, a second pipe and a float device. The second pipe defines a second chamber. Initially, water flows to the overflow pipe to create a water closing through a water flow passage between the second pipe and the float pipe, especially a conical passage defined between a conical surface of the second pipe and a conical portion of the float device. Meanwhile, the float device moves upward along with the rise of the water level of the second chamber to close the conical passage. By the time the conical passage is closed, the water closing is formed, and the refilled surplus water will overflow into the water tank, thus creating a quantitative water refilling effect. |
| US08069501B2 |
Deodorizing toilet seat
A toilet seat for filtering foul air includes large capacity internal ducting connected between a very large intake opening and a large exhaust for efficient, high capacity air filtration. The seat comprises an assembly including upper and lower halves joined along a horizontal seam. The seat halves pivot on an axle and are biased apart to sense use of the device to control its on/off timing. The device is activated as the user sits on the seat and is programmed by a controller to continue for a length of time after toilet use. |
| US08069496B2 |
Odor absorbing article of clothing
An article of clothing adapted to be worn by a person has an odor absorbing substance incorporated therein. The odor absorbing substance absorbs odors emitting from that portion of the person which is substantially surrounded by the clothing. Reduction of odors emitting from a person wearing the article of clothing will help to avoid detection of the wearer of the article of clothing by many species of wildlife having an acute sense of smell. |
| US08069495B2 |
Wearable protective barrier with detachable hand and instrument covers
A wearable, protective barrier comprising a garment having removably attached covers to protect hands and/or instruments placed therein. The covers can be removably affixed to various locations on the garment that would allow them to be detached from the garment before or after insertion of a hand. Various tabs located on the covers aid in inserting and adjusting the covers on the hand and/or instrument. In a specific embodiment, the covers and/or garment comprise one or more heat sensitive materials, such that some portion of a cover can be temporarily heat-sealed to the garment for later removal. In a further embodiment, the garment and covers are sterile and disposable. |
| US08074293B2 |
Defective product inspection apparatus, probe positioning method and probe moving method
For adjusting a positional relationship between a specimen and a probe to measure an electric characteristic of the specimen through a contact therebetween, a base table holding a specimen table holding the specimen and a probe holder holding the probe is positioned at a first position to measure the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen at the first position, and subsequently positioned at a second position to measure the positional relationship therebetween at the second position so that the probe and the specimen are contact each other at the second position, the specimen table and the probe holder are movable with respect to each other on the base table at each of the first and second positions to adjust the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen, and a measuring accuracy at the second position is superior to a measuring accuracy at the first position. |
| US08074292B2 |
High resolution wide angle tomographic probe
The present invention concerns the enhancing of the mass resolution of wide angle tomographic atom probes. The invention consists of an atom probe also comprising a sample-holding device and a detector which are separated from one another by a distance L and enclosed in a chamber, an “Einzel” type electrostatic lens consisting of three electrodes arranged inside the chamber between the sample and the detector, to which electrical potentials are applied so as to form an electrical field that strongly focuses the beam of ions emitted by the sample under test when the probe is operating. According to the invention, the geometry of the electrodes is defined precisely so as to greatly limit the effects of the spherical aberration that affects the “Einzel” lens on the beam of ions, said spherical aberration being clearly sensitive when the lens is greatly polarized. The invention applies more particularly to the atom probes known as 3D atom probes. |
| US08074286B2 |
Secure media path system and method
Many media playback devices have a secure environment, with media decrypter and decoder components, and an insecure environment, with intermediate media processing components that are not suitable for secure implementation. In the secure environment, secure components decrypt encrypted media and store the clear-form media in secure memory that can only be accessed by secure components. Secure components also generate a media-data “proxy”, which corresponds structurally to the clear-form media, but which does not include actual clear-form media data. The media-data proxy is provided to insecure intermediate components, which manipulate the proxy to perform operations such as de-multiplexing, loss mitigation, and coded frame assembly. The manipulated proxy is returned to the secure environment, where secure components identify structural changes that were made to the proxy and make corresponding structural changes to the clear-form media before decoding the manipulated clear-form media. |
| US08074285B2 |
Copy protection method for digital data stored on a medium
A method of protection against the copying of digital data stored on an information carrier envisages, on the basis of a first identification of an encryption of the digital data and of a second identification of a watermarking of digital data, the determination of a first mark if it has been possible to identify the encryption and the watermarking. A third identification of a type of the information carrier is followed by the determination of a second mark if it has been possible to determine the first mark and if has been possible to identify a determined type of information carrier. A fourth identification of cryptographic signature data accompanying the digital data is followed by the determination of a third mark if it has been possible to determine the second mark and if it has been possible to identify a cryptographic signature datum. A permission for digital copying of the digital data is delivered if it has been possible to determine the third mark. |
| US08074284B2 |
Device provided with rewritable circuit, updating system, updating method, updating program and integrated circuit
A problem to be solved is that a conventional device is not equipped with a unit that enables efficient circuit update taking into consideration an unconfigured area in the reconfigurable circuit in the device. A data using device of the present invention transmits, to a design data generation apparatus, device information relating to functions and structures of circuits included in the data using device, and receives design data generated by the design data generation apparatus. The data using device updates the function thereof based on the received design data. With this structure, the present invention can provide the data using device and the design data generation apparatus that are capable of managing the configuration of the circuits in the data using device, and acquiring properly the data to update the function thereof. |
| US08074282B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for conveying a status of a plurality of security applications
A system, method and computer program product are provided for displaying a status of a security application. A status of at least one security application is initially identified. An index is calculated that is representative of a degree of risk associated with the status of the at least one security application. The index is then displayed. |
| US08074281B2 |
Malware detection with taint tracking
Malware may be identified based on attempts to use tainted data in certain ways, such as by attempting to execute the tainted data, by attempting to modify execution control based on tainted data, or by attempting to apply an existing function to the tainted data. A data's taint is determined based on the location from which the data originates. When data from a tainted source is moved to an otherwise non-tainted destination, the taint may be propagated from the source to the destination, to indicate that the destination is now of unknown safety. A component may be used to observe the operation of a process, in order to determine what data is being moved with respect to the process, and how that data is being used. |
| US08074274B2 |
User-level privilege management
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a request from a user-level agent for programming of a user-level privilege for at least one architectural resource of an application-managed sequencer (AMS) and programming the user-level privilege for the at least one architectural resource using an operating system-managed sequencer (OMS) coupled to the AMS. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08074271B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a decision on a card
Method and devices for making access decisions in a secure access network are provided. The access decisions are made by a portable credential using data and algorithms stored on the credential. Since access decisions are made by the portable credential non-networked hosts or local hosts can be employed that do not necessarily need to be connected to a central access controller or database thereby reducing the cost of building and maintaining the secure access network. |
| US08074270B1 |
Automatic configuration of network tunnels
Techniques are described for establishing network tunnels that allow communication according to one or more routing protocols. The techniques allow for the automated configuration of a selector or other filter associated with the network tunnel. A network device, for example, includes a control unit, and an interface for coupling the network device to a computer network. The control unit receives a communication to establish a network tunnel with a remote network device. The communication includes information that specifies a routing protocol supported by the remote network device. The control unit automatically configures the network tunnel to permit communication through the network tunnel in accordance with the specified routing protocol. The control unit may receive the communication in accordance with a conventional network protocol, such as the Internet Key Exchange protocol. The information may be conveyed using a data field redefined to specify the supported routing protocol. |
| US08074266B2 |
Memory card, data exchange system, and data exchange method
By enabling to write information which is readable only by an IC card owner on an IC card without inputting a PIN and to authenticate a creator of the written information and prevent falsification, it is guaranteed that data written on the IC card can be read only by the IC card owner, the creator of the written data can be specified, and the written data has not been falsified. A secure memory card 101 includes a card private key storing unit 208 storing a private key, a card certificate storing unit 202 storing a certificate of a public key which forms a pair with the private key, a certificate sending unit 201 sending the certificate to a PC 102, a private storing unit 203 which is readable/writable from the outside only when a correct PIN is input, a public storing unit 210 which is readable/writable from the outside without checking a PIN, a confidential data receiving unit 211 receiving confidential data from the PC 102, and so on. |
| US08074264B2 |
Secure key distribution to internet clients
A server may bridge between a wide area network, such as the Internet, and a local area network and may process authentication requests from clients on the wide area network. The server may filter the requests to enable specific types of requests to pass, and may forward the requests to a credential server within the local area network and pass any responses back to the client. The server may be configured with some or all of a set of domain services objects, but such objects may be stored in a read only format. The server may further contain a minimum of or no sensitive data such that, if compromised, an attacker may gain little advantage. The client may request evidence of authentication available to devices within the local area network and may use the evidence of authentication to access services made available to the wide area network. |
| US08074256B2 |
Pdstudio design system and method
A policy developer studio comprising: a meta-policy core of network objects, a policy developer graphical user interface (GUI) tool for providing a front end to a policy language, an output in XML, a compiled output for a policy engine, and an output in human readable form is provided. |
| US08074252B2 |
Communication system, data processing device, data processing method, data providing device, data providing method, and program
This invention relates to a communication system, a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, a data providing apparatus, a data providing method, and a program for offering services to users in response to their requests. Executable buttons representing executable functions are displayed in a given display format, while optional buttons representing optional functions are displayed in a different format. When a download button is operated to request download of software for implementing the function represented by any one of the executable buttons, the software in question is downloaded. Executing the downloaded software changes the optional button representing the implemented function into an executable button on display. |
| US08074249B2 |
Content storage control apparatus and control method therefor
If there are program-related associated Web pages, a TV receiver 1000 acquires the content information of the associated Web pages from a Web server 2000 and stores it in a Web page storage unit 1006. The correspondence between the stored content information and recorded program is stored in a correspondence information holding unit 1005. The data of the program is outputted to a TV program recorder 3000, where it is recorded. The user can configure the timing, at which the storage of the associated Web pages is carried out. |
| US08074248B2 |
System and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television in a communication network
A system and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television that is part of a communication network is provided. At least a portion of the source image and the video content are displayed on the television. A request at a content distribution platform in the communication network is received for display of the source image from a communication device associated with the television. In certain embodiments, the communication network is cable television network. In other embodiments, the communication network may be a television over IP network. The requested source image is retrieved by the content distribution platform. The source image is displayed on a user's television, and the user may desire to have video content associated with a link displayed on the user's television. A request for video content associated with the link is then received. The content distribution platform then retrieves the video content that is associated with the link. The video content is pre-encoded and may be, for example, an MPEG data file. The content distribution platform then composites the video content and at least a portion of the source image together. The data of the source image and the pre-encoded video content form a video stream that can be decoded by a decoder associated with the television. The composited video stream is then sent through the communication network to the communication device where it is decoded and displayed on the user's television. In certain embodiments, the source image is a web page. |
| US08074246B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus
An appropriate direction and gain value of a smart antenna are efficiently searched for. The MPU 11 of the set top box functionally has the condition setting portion which selects a gain from the second predetermined number of steps of gains and sets it, and selects a direction from the first predetermined number of directions and sets it, the receiving state evaluation portion which generates receiving quality information that indicates the quality of a receiving state of a television broadcast received via the receiving portion, the receiving determination portion which determines whether or not a receiving state is good based on the generated receiving quality information, and the search end portion which when the receiving state is determined good, records the set one gain and one direction as the receiving conditions into the condition storage portion and makes the condition setting portion end the setting processings of gains and directions. |
| US08074245B2 |
Program reservation system and program reserving method
In a receiving device, a receiver receives extended program information. A user selects a program to be reserved by a selection operation using an operation input unit. An extended reservation manager causes an instruction receiver to transmit an extended reservation instruction based on an extended program identifier for identifying the selected program. In a recording device, a receiver receives program data, mapping information, and program information. The instruction receiver receives the extended reservation instruction transmitted from the receiver. An extended reservation executor acquires an extended program identifier from the received extended reservation instruction and acquires a program identifier corresponding to the extended program identifier on the basis of the mapping information, to store a program reservation on the basis of the program identifier. A program recorder/reproducer records and/or reproduces the program data in accordance with the stored program reservation. The extended reservation instruction is configured so as not to be recognized as a reservation instruction by a recording/reproducing appliance that is not adapted to the extended program information. |
| US08074244B2 |
Receiving apparatus and method
Partial data related to information data is received, image data corresponding to the received partial data is generated by sequentially processing the received partial data, and the generated image data is output to a display unit. Before output of the image data corresponding to the partial data to the display unit is completed, reception of the information data is started. Then, image data corresponding to the information data is generated by processing the received information data, and image data to be displayed on said display unit is switched to the image data corresponding to the information data from the image data corresponding to the partial data after the reception of the information data is started. |
| US08074243B2 |
System and method for generating electronic program guides
A method and system for generating electronic program guides is provided. The method comprises: sharing Electronic Program Guides (EPG) data among at least one terminal and at least two service providers (SPs) interconnected over network; searching the shared EPG data; and generating EPG for the terminal according to the searched EPG data and the customization information provided by the terminal. The system comprises at least two SPs and at least one terminal interconnected over network, where at least two SPs of the at least two SPs are provided with a middleware, and EPG data is shared among SPs or between SPs and terminals through the middleware, and at least one terminal of the at least one terminal is provided with a middleware. In embodiments of the present invention, an individualized EPG is generated according to requirements of a terminal by sharing EPG data and summarizing EPG data from a plurality of SPs. |
| US08074239B2 |
Axial force spindle clamp
A spindle clamp for supporting a disk includes a radial control member that is in contact with an opening through a jaw and that has a contour such that radial expansion of the jaw is induced during initial movement of the jaw toward a registration surface for seating the disk. However, the contour is such that further movement of the jaw toward the registration surface is an axial motion, rather than a combination of axial and radial motion. In one preferred embodiment, the jaw is unitary, but is configured to enable the radial expansion while having sufficient rigidity to reliably clamp a data disk seating on the registration surface. The jaw may include a lip which is configured to contact the major surface of the disk opposite to its contact with the registration surface. |
| US08074238B2 |
Spindle motor
Provided is a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotatable shaft, a stator, a rotor, and a turntable. The stator is positioned around the shaft. The rotor includes a rotor yoke coupled to the shaft. The rotor is rotated with the shaft integratedly by a reaction with the stator. The turntable is coupled to the shaft. The rotor yoke and the turntable are coupled to each other and are fixed to the shaft. |
| US08074237B2 |
Optical disk device including buffer mechanism for buffering elastic deformation of the optical pickup side of a disk motor plate
An optical disk device includes: a disk motor for rotating an optical disk D inserted into a package; an optical pickup that moves in a radial direction of the optical disk, for controlling recording information on the optical disk or reading information from the optical disk; a chassis that is a base for supporting the disk motor and the optical pickup to chuck the optical disk directly inserted into the package to the disk motor; a motor plate that secures the disk motor to the base and that has one side, where the optical pickup is not located, supported by the base and the other side overhanging; and a raised portion for buffering elastic deformation of the optical pickup side of the disk motor plate. |
| US08074235B2 |
Control method for a media transportation mechanism, and a media processing device
A media transportation mechanism control method and a media processing device can accurately detect the last disc or other media stored in a media storage unit. A transportation arm 36 is lowered to the media stacker 21, the transportation arm 36 is paused when the media detection mechanism 200 detects the media, and the transportation arm 36 is then raised and the position where the media detection mechanism 200 stops detecting the media is stored as media height H. After the transportation arm 36 descends again, picks a disc M from the media stacker 21, and then rises, the media height H is compared with a prescribed threshold limit α. If the media height H is less than the threshold limit α, the number of media left in the media stacker 21 is determined to be a prescribed count (such as zero). |
| US08074231B2 |
Configuration of isolated extensions and device drivers
In some implementations, the operations of a software system may include the execution of untrusted device drivers. The execution of an untrusted device driver may be initiated when an untrusted device driver that is a set of executable instructions is obtained. A computing resource for the execution of the device driver may be further determined from a device-driver manifest of the untrusted device driver. Computing resources may include one or more of a hardware resource, a memory, an input/output port, an interrupt request line, and an inter-process communication channel. Trusted local access objects may be used by the untrusted device driver to access the computing resources. |
| US08074229B2 |
Co-execution of objects from divergent runtime environments
Systems and methods are described that permit objects from runtime environments that are incompatible with one another to be co-executed on a computing machine. Depending on which object can service the request, a generic proxy may send the request to the proxy of the particular runtime environment associated with that object. The proxy may call the appropriate methods of the object therein to service the request. Each runtime environment may be isolated from other runtime environments by a container such that catastrophic errors in one runtime environment do not disrupt the execution of objects in another runtime environment. A first object in a first runtime environment may execute methods in a second object in a second runtime environment by invoking a proxy of the second runtime environment to call the methods of the second object. |
| US08074228B2 |
Systems and methods for providing mockup business objects
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for a mockup business object. The mockup business object implemented within a computer framework including other business objects. In one exemplary embodiment, the method may include generating, within the computer framework, the mockup business object based on a metadata stored within the computer framework, when the mockup business object does not exist within the computer framework. The method may also include determining whether a structure of the mockup business object has changed based on the metadata, when the mockup business object does exist within the computer framework. Moreover, the method may include modifying the mockup business object based on the result of the determining step. |
| US08074226B2 |
Systems and methods for switching internet contexts without process shutdown
Systems and methods for switching from a first Internet context to a second Internet context without process shutdown are described. Internet context data, such as cookies, history and user-defined data, is stored in containers unique to each user on a system. Internet content is stored in a common location so redundant downloaded information is not stored. Content information is found or stored by hashing a URL and indexing the memory location according to the resulting hash value. If content data is specific to a particular user, a hash is performed on a combination of the URL and an ordinal associated with the user's unique identity to obtain a hash value unique to the user. The user-specific content is then stored and the memory location is indexed according to the unique hash value. |
| US08074225B2 |
Assuring recovery of temporary resources in a logically partitioned computer system
A capacity manager provides temporary resources on demand in a manner that assures the temporary resources may be recovered when the specified resource-time expires. Access to minimum resource specifications corresponding to the logical partitions is controlled to prevent the sum of all minimum resource specifications from exceeding the base resources on the system. By assuring the sum of minimum resource specifications for all logical partitions is satisfied by the base resources on the system, the temporary resources may always be recovered when required. |
| US08074223B2 |
Permanently activating resources based on previous temporary resource usage
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine whether an amount of usage of a resource, which is used under a temporary usage plan, exceeds a threshold. If that determination is true, a quantity of the resource is calculated and that quantity is converted from the temporary usage plan to a permanent usage plan, without further charge to the customer. In another embodiment, a different resource may be converted to the permanent usage plan than the resource that was temporarily used. In various embodiments, the calculation of the quantity is made based on an attribute of the computer that uses the resource or based on an activation code received from the provider of the resource. In various embodiments, the amount of the usage is either a time amount of use or a monetary amount charged for the resource under the temporary usage plan. In various embodiments, the quantity of the resource converted is based on a ratio of a number of permanent resources in use to a total number of resources, based on an attribute of the computer, based on the cost of the computer, based on the age of the computer, based on a speed of the resource, or based on the amount of resources in the computer. |
| US08074217B2 |
Methods and systems for delivering software
Methods and systems for software delivery are described. In one embodiment, an extension definition catalog structure is defined and can be used to select one or more software extensions for incorporation on a computing device. At least one software extension is identified using a uniform resource name and, for the one software extension, at least one instance of the software extension is identified using a uniform resource name. For the one instance of the software extension, a uniform resource locator can be used to select the instance. |
| US08074214B2 |
System for creating a customized software installation on demand
A customized installation, e.g. of Linux software, is created by allowing a user to select packages that the user is interested in installing. During the process, the user is informed if two of the packages that were selected will not be interoperable at run-time. The user is then given an opportunity to resolve the conflict. The user is also informed if selected packages depend on other packages that were not selected in order to run properly, and given the opportunity to include those needed packages in the installation. Once the selected packages have been validated that they will interoperate and all dependencies are satisfied, the system can install the installation. |
| US08074211B2 |
Computer program, multiprocessor system, and grouping method
According to one embodiment, a grouping method for process units, each including basic modules and data, the process units being assigned to processors in a program for a multiprocessor system, the program including the basic modules and a parallel statement describing relationships between parallel processes for the basic modules, the method includes displaying a dataflow graph visually showing a process status of each process unit based on the parallel statement, and specifying a candidate for a connection of process units on the dataflow graph, wherein the dataflow graph displays data entries, nodes in the basic modules, and edges connecting the data entries and the nodes. |
| US08074202B2 |
WIKI application development tool that uses specialized blogs to publish WIKI development content in an organized/searchable fashion
The present invention discloses a software development system for WIKIs including a WIKI server, a BLOG server, and a data store. The WIKI server can serve WIKI pages to WIKI clients. The BLOG server can serve BLOGs to BLOG clients. The data store can manage WIKI BLOG entries. Each WIKI BLOG entry can include a link to one of the WIKI pages and metadata for the linked WIKI page. The metadata can include a WIKI page title, a WIKI page version, a WIKI page description, design notes, and other information. Searchable keywords can be generated from the metadata. WIKI BLOG entries can be searched by WIKI developers to find WIKI pages having designer specified criteria based on a keyword search. Wherein searching for WIKI BLOG entries and editing discovered WIKI pages associated with WIKI BLOGs can be performed by a WIKI client via a WIKI interface. |
| US08074195B2 |
System and method for evaluating a dynamic power consumption of a block
A method for evaluating a dynamic power consumption of a block, the method includes: receiving or generating information representative of the block during a preliminary block design stage that precedes a gate level simulation of the block; estimating change probabilities of signals of internal components of the block; and evaluating a dynamic power consumption of the block in response to the change probabilities of the signals of internal components of the block. |
| US08074194B2 |
Method and apparatus for distinguishing combinational designs
Ordinary minterm counting (OMC) and weighted minterm counting (WMC) are applied as combinational design discriminators to a pair of combinational designs D1 and D2. OMC assigns the same weight to each minterm, while WMC assigns a weight that can vary. For application of minterm counting, D1 and D2 can be converted into BDDs. The size of the BDDs can be reduced by assigning binary values to some of the input variables. If the minterm counts of D1 and are within a certain tolerance, then D1 and D2 cannot be distinguished. Even if D1 and D2 are determined to represent different functionalities, they may still be sufficiently related such that classification of them as differing functionalities is inappropriate. Each such test of relatedness, between a pair of designs D1 and D2, can be referred to as an “exception.” Minterm counting can also be applied when don't cares are part of a design specification. Exceptions can apply to such minterm counts. |
| US08074190B1 |
Integrated circuit design systems for replacing flip-flops with pulsed latches
A circuit design system, methodology, and software are disclosed for generating circuit capable of consuming less dynamic power. In particular, the circuit design methodology entails modifying an initial circuit design including a clock network coupled to a plurality of edge-triggered flip-flops to generate a modified circuit design that uses pulsed latches driven by pulse generators in place of at least some of the flip-flops. Since pulsed latches use less dynamic power than edge-triggered flip-flops, the modified circuit may consume less dynamic power. The circuit design methodology may further entail adding delay cells for balancing the clock network to compensate for timing effects caused by the insertion of pulse generators. Additionally, the methodology may further include cloning of forbidden clock paths to make more flip-flops eligible for pulsed latch replacement. |
| US08074187B2 |
Method and apparatus for inserting metal fill in an integrated circuit (“IC”) layout
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for inserting several fills in an integrated circuit (“IC”) layout. The method identifies a set of potential fills in a region of an IC layout, where the set of potential fills has a first fill size, wherein the first fill size is from a set of fill sizes. The method specifies a halo around each potential fill in the set of potential fills. For each potential fill, the method determines whether the specified halo overlaps with a foreign object in the region of the layout. For each potential fill, the method specifies a legal fill in the region of the IC layout if the specified halo does not overlap with a foreign object in the region of the IC layout. The method inserts at least one legal fill in the region of the IC layout. In some embodiments, the halo is a spacing halo. |
| US08074186B2 |
Leakage current analyzing apparatus, leakage current analyzing method, and computer product
A leakage current analyzing apparatus receives input of data used for analysis and indicating intra/inter-chip variation concerning the gate length of transistors constituting cells in a circuit to be designed, where the inter-chip variation is handled as a discrete probability density distribution R. Using the data input, the leakage current analyzing apparatus obtains a cumulative probability density for a leakage current value (of the circuit) that is equal to or less than each arbitrary leakage current value I1 to IJ. As a result, the leak rate of the circuit to be designed can be correctly obtained without limiting the shape of distribution. |
| US08074185B2 |
System and method for displaying and manipulating hierarchically linked data in a genealogy database using a graphical interface
A system and method for displaying, searching, manipulating and modifying of hierarchically linked genealogy data in a relational database on a computer system. A graphic representation of the data in the database is displayed on a computer display device. The system uses zooming, a common function used in computer systems, to show more or less information in the database in readable form. Using the computer pointer devices, the data in the database can be manipulated, added, deleted, or moved. The system allows for changing of the root node individual thereby giving a different view of the database, to zoom in or zoom out and save that view of the database for future reference. The system displays all relationships of the data in the hierarchical structure by use of various sizes and type of lines and positions in the structure and shows for example data further away from the root node individual as a progressively smaller graphical image. |
| US08074183B2 |
Image formation device and its control method
An image formation device having a hierarchically structured function setting menu in which plural function setting items including a function setting item for an optional device are managed in a hierarchical structure, the hierarchically structured function setting menu being sequentially displayed according to the hierarchical structure to select a desired function setting item to perform a function setting, the image formation device including a detector that detects a connection of the optional device, and a changing unit that changes the function setting item for the optional device to a top level of the hierarchically structured function setting menu when the connection of the optional device is detected by the detector. |
| US08074169B2 |
Document creation system and related methods
A method of creating a document comprises obtaining a plurality of content-elements that it is desired to print on the document; considering one or more perimeters into which the obtained content-elements are to be placed; attempting to arrange the or each considered perimeter on the document; adjusting the dimensions of one or more perimeters such that the perimeters can be placed on the document; re-arranging the content-elements within a perimeter according to pre-determined rules as the dimensions are adjusted; and generating the document created by the method. |
| US08074167B2 |
Cross domain presence of web user interface and logic
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that allow for repurposing content of a source web site for an external web site. The developer uses a programming feature to create a web page with a portion of content suitable for use in the form of a gadget control on an external web site. The developer sets up the portion of the web page for repurposing as the gadget control. When a request is received from the source web site to access the web page, the web page is displayed along with the displayable portion of content in the normal fashion. When a request is received from the external web site to access the portion of content in the form of the gadget control, the portion of content is provided to the external web site for use in the gadget control. |
| US08074160B2 |
Streaming parser API for processing XML document
A streaming parser API expands a base parser by building an iterative method on top of the base parser. The iterative method allows a user to pass a selected element type to the base parser, which can step through the XML document until it locates a matching element. The base parser can then extract the element, process the element as an event, and place the event on an event stream for use by an application. |
| US08074158B2 |
Erasure detection for a transport channel with an unknown format
To perform erasure detection for an intermittently active transport channel with unknown format, a receiver determines an energy metric and a symbol error rate (SER) for a received block with CRC failure. The receiver computes uncorrelated random variables u and v for the received block based on the energy metric and SER, the estimated means and standard deviations of the energy metric and SER, and a correlation coefficient indicative of the correlation between the energy metric and SER. The receiver then evaluates the uncorrelated random variables u and v based on at least one decision criterion and declares the received block to be an erased block or a DTX block based on the result of the evaluation. The decision criterion may be defined based on a target probability of false alarm and adjusted based on another metric, such as a zero state bit, for the received block. |
| US08074152B2 |
Broadcasting receiver and broadcast signal processing method
A digital broadcasting system which is robust against an error when mobile service data is transmitted and a method of processing data are disclosed. The mobile service data is subjected to an additional coding process and the coded mobile service data is transmitted. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a serious channel variation while applying robustness to the mobile service data. |
| US08074149B2 |
Disk controller methods and apparatus with improved striping, redundancy operations and interfaces
A RAID disk drive controller (FIG. 33) implements disk storage operations, including striping and redundancy operations with multiple disk drives connected via respective SATA ports (520). Configurable data path switch logic (460) provides dynamic configuration of two or more attached drives into one or more arrays. Data transfers are synchronized locally by leveraging the SATA port transport layer FIFO (530). Synchronous transfers allow on-the-fly redundancy (XOR) operations (FIG. 36) for improved performance and reduced hardware complexity. XOR accumulator hardware (FIG. 42-FIG. 43) reduces buffer requirements for multiple DMA channels otherwise required for synchronization, and various narrow and wide striping modes are supported. |
| US08074148B2 |
Memory management method and controller for non-volatile memory storage device
A memory management method and a controller for a non-volatile memory storage device are provided. The memory management method and the controller are adapted for establishing a logical-to-physical mapping table of each block in a memory buffer of the controller by merely reading the data stored in a system management area within a start page of each block, so as to promote the management efficiency of the non-volatile memory storage device. In addition, the method and the controller of the present invention integrate all of or a part of the system management areas within the start page for efficiently managing and using the memory capacity of all the system management areas within the start page. |
| US08074144B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
Plural data lines read normal data stored in a first area in the memory cell array when the data lines are connected to a selected bit line. Plural parity data lines read parity data from a second area in the memory cell array different from the first area, the parity data being used for an error correction of the normal data stored in the memory cell. A first determination circuit compares the normal data read from the data lines and their expectation value, respectively, and determines whether the data and the expectation value coincide, respectively. A second determination circuit compares the parity data read from the parity data lines and their expectation value, respectively, and determines whether the data and the expectation value coincide, respectively. The second determination circuit includes a selection circuit that selectively outputs a determination result on a part of the parity data lines. |
| US08074135B1 |
Apparatus and method for testing and debugging an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes an embedded processor. An embedded in-circuit emulator is located within the embedded processor. The embedded in-circuit emulator performs a test on the integrated circuit. The embedded in-circuit emulator generates a testing result based on the test on the integrated circuit. Trace logic to generate trace data based on the testing result, the trace data being in a parallel format. A serializer is located on the integrated circuit. The serializer converts the parallel format of the trace data into a serial format. The serializer serially outputs the trace data in the serial format from the integrated circuit. |
| US08074129B2 |
Memory apparatus and method and reduced pin count apparatus and method
A memory apparatus is disclosed, comprising a memory device under test, a reduced-pin-count device and a built-in self test device. The reduced-pin-count device is used to find a faulty cell address in the memory device under test during a pre-fuse stage. The built-in self test device is used to detect whether the memory device under test has any error during a post-fuse stage. The memory apparatus is capable of promptly finding the address of a defect cell in the memory device under test such that repairs can be performed during a fuse stage. Furthermore, the invention reduces the pin count required during testing the memory device under test. Thus, the cost of testing equipment is reduced and the performance of memory testing is enhanced. |
| US08074128B2 |
Block management and replacement method, flash memory storage system and controller using the same
A block management and replacement method for a flash memory is provided. The method includes grouping physical blocks of the flash memory into physical units and dividing the physical units as a usage area and a replacement area, wherein the physical blocks grouped into the same physical unit are accessed by using a multi-planes accessing command. The method also includes when one of the physical block of the physical unit in the usage area is damaged, replacing the physical unit having the damaged physical block with one physical unit selected from the replacement area and recording the undamaged physical block within the replaced physical unit if there is an applicable physical unit in the replacement area; and replacing the damaged physical block with one physical block selected from the replacement area if there is no applicable physical unit but an undamaged physical block in the replacement area. |
| US08074127B2 |
Signal analyzing apparatus
The present invention is to provide a signal analyzing apparatus which can easily identify a pattern high in error rate and a pattern causing bit errors in comparison with the conventional device. In a signal analyzing apparatus (4) for analyzing a signal from an object under test, and having a display unit (21) display an analysis result on the signal, the signal analyzing apparatus (4) includes a statistical processing unit (34) for statistically processing the analysis result for each of divided sections obtained by dividing an analysis section set for the signal; and a display control unit (23) for causing the display device to display statistical results obtained by the statistical processing unit for each of the divided sections, when a divided section are identified as a new analysis section, the statistical processing unit performs statistical processing of the analysis result for each of divided sections obtained by dividing the new analysis section, the display control unit causes the display device to display the statistical results obtained by the statistical processing unit for each of new divided sections. |
| US08074126B1 |
Non-intrusive eye monitor system
A signal receiver includes a data recovery module that generates an equalized data signal and a recovered data signal based on a data input signal. An error module generates an error information signal based on the equalized data signal and an error threshold signal. An eye measurement control module generates an eye characteristic signal based on the recovered data signal and the error information signal. |
| US08074125B2 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data bits
Provided are an apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data bits. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to generate a transmission signal corresponding to the data bits and having a periodic transition, a data line configured to transmit the generated transmission signal, and a receiver configured to generate a reception clock signal from the periodic transition of the transmission signal (“reception signal”) transmitted through the data line, sample the reception signal according to the generated reception clock signal to recover the data bits. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit clock information without a clock line separate from the data line. |
| US08074119B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing a multi-scope bug tracking process
A process capable of tracking bugs across multiple product releases using multiple scopes is disclosed. Upon receipt of a bug report, a process creates a defect record in a storage memory wherein the record describes the bug in accordance with the bug report. After allocating a first scope associated with a first product release and a second scope associated with a second product release, the process displays the defect record together with the first scope and the second scope on a screen. The first scope allocates a portion of the storage space to track a bug status associated with the first product release and the second scope allocates another portion of the storage space to track the bug status associated with the second product release. |
| US08074118B2 |
Method for influencing a control unit and manipulation unit
A method for influencing a control unit by means of a manipulation unit whereby the control unit has at least one microcontroller, at least one memory having a plurality of memory cells and at least one debug interface, and the debug interface has a monitoring functionality for observing the memory content, and by means of the debug interface a first point in time of the control unit for writing a first value to a first memory cell is detected, and a triggering point in time for a processing routine by the manipulation unit is obtained as the result based on the information transmitted to the manipulation unit by the debug interface at the first point in time, and at a second point in time, a second value is written to the first memory cell by the manipulation unit by means of the processing routine via the debug interface before the first memory cell is read by the control unit at a third point in time. |
| US08074114B2 |
Motherboard error detection system
A motherboard error detection system includes a pluggable error detection board and a motherboard having a boot management chip. When the motherboard enters a device-driven status from a standby status, the boot management chip is used to manage power-on timings of different voltage sources; to collect a plurality of sets of status information; and to check whether the sets of status information and the power-on timings have errors. The pluggable error detection board includes an interpreting unit, a message-reading interface and a connector which is pluggably disposed on the motherboard. When the boot management chip notifies the pluggable error detection board to read an error message, the interpreting unit converts the error message to human-readable information, and the human-readable information is outputted through the message-reading interface. |
| US08074112B1 |
Memory backup used in a raid system
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for memory backup in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system are described. The methods include detecting a failure in a main power supply that supplies power to a volatile memory that is coupled to a RAID controller, switching to a temporary power supply to supply power to the volatile memory in response to detecting the main power supply failure, and transferring data from the volatile memory to a non-volatile memory coupled to the RAID controller subsequent to switching to the temporary power supply. |
| US08074110B2 |
Enhancing reliability of a many-core processor
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for identifying available cores of a many-core processor, allocating a first subset of the cores to an enabled state and a second subset of the cores to a spare state, and storing information regarding the allocation in a storage. The allocation of cores to the enables state may be based on a temperature-aware algorithm, in certain embodiments. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08074108B2 |
Storage controller and storage control method
Spare disk drives are provided to a chassis for storing storage devices, and, when any one of the storage devices configuring RAID fails, the storage controller copies data of the failed storage device to a spare storage device, and recognizes an additional storage device inserted into the spare disk drive as the spare storage device. Thereafter, when the foregoing storage device fails, the storage controller reproduces data of the failed storage device, copies this data to an additional storage device inserted into the spare disk drive, and recognizes the additional storage device inserted into the spare disk drive as a spare storage device. Subsequently, when the foregoing storage device fails, the storage controller reproduces data of the failed storage device and copies this data to an additional storage device inserted into the spare disk drive. RAID 6 is maintained thereby. |
| US08074102B2 |
Method for reactivating at least one media transfer protocol-compatible device when an unrecoverable error occurs, and associated host
A method for reactivating at least one media transfer protocol-compatible (MTP-compatible) device when an unrecoverable error occurs includes: temporarily storing a transaction ID of a latest operation performed on the MTP-compatible device; and selectively communicating with the MTP-compatible device by utilizing the transaction ID when an unrecoverable error of the MTP-compatible device occurs. An associated host for reactivating at least one MTP-compatible device when an unrecoverable error occurs includes a storage unit and a processing circuit. The storage unit is arranged to temporarily store a transaction ID of a latest operation performed on the MTP-compatible device. In addition, the processing circuit is arranged to selectively communicate with the MTP-compatible device by utilizing the transaction ID when an unrecoverable error of the MTP-compatible device occurs. |
| US08074098B2 |
Control method for information processing system, information processing system, and program
An object of the present invention is to ensure, in an information processing system including a plurality of server apparatuses coupled to one another, reliability and availability thereof when failover is executed. In an information processing system, which includes a plurality of server apparatuses coupled to one another, and a management server coupled to the server apparatuses, and is configured to, when detecting occurrence of a failure in an active server apparatus of the server apparatuses, execute failover from the active server apparatus to a standby server apparatus of the server apparatuses after turning on a power supply of the standby server apparatus whose power supply having been turned off, the management server is enabled to: acquire information on the standby server apparatus after turning on the power supply of the standby server apparatus; turn off the power supply of the standby server apparatus after acquiring the information; and, based on the acquired information, judge whether or not failover to the standby server apparatus can be executed. Additionally, an acquisition method of the information can be selected in accordance with an allocated status of the standby server apparatus. |
| US08074090B2 |
Storage system including plurality of storage apparatuses
Conventionally, no consideration was given to the control of the main power supply circuit in a storage apparatus. Thus, unnecessary electric power will be consumed because it is not possible to inhibit the power consumption of the main power supply circuit of the storage apparatus. With this storage system having a plurality of storage apparatuses, a storage apparatus internally has a power supply control program for controlling the respective components and the main power supply circuit, and the power supply control command program provided to the management computer migrates a storage extent to be used for business to another storage apparatus based on the operation schedule of business to use the storage extent of the storage apparatus, and commands the power supply control of the main power supply circuit in the storage apparatuses and the respective components. |
| US08074089B2 |
Power supply controlling system
A power supply controlling system includes a receiving device, a power supply device, and a transmitting device connected to an information processing apparatus. The receiving device includes a transmitting portion that transmits a switch signal of a power supply switch used for on/off of the power supply device to the transmitting device via second signal lines used for the reception of a second video signal, which are different from first signal lines used for the reception of a first video signal. The transmitting device includes an acquiring portion that acquires the switch signal from the second signal lines on which the second video signal and the switch signal are mixed, and an outputting portion that outputs the switch signal to the power supply device. The receiving device and the transmitting device are connected with a single cable including the first and the second signal lines. |
| US08074084B2 |
Powered device classification in a wired data telecommunications network
In a wired data telecommunication network power sourcing equipment (PSE) coupled to a powered device (PD) carries out an inline power discovery process to verify that the PD is adapted to receive inline power, then a plurality of classification cycles are carried out to convey a series of inline power classes back to the PSE. The series of inline power classes may all be the same, in which case the PD is legacy equipment and is adapted to receive the power level corresponding to that class. If they are not all the same, information is thus conveyed to the PSE which may, for example, correspond to a specific power level to be applied or to other information. |
| US08074082B2 |
Anti-tamper module
An anti-tamper module is provided for protecting the contents and functionality of an integrated circuit incorporated in the module. The anti-tamper module is arranged in a stacked configuration having multiple layers. A connection layer is provided for connecting the module to an external system. A configurable logic device is provided for routing connections between the integrated circuit and the connection layer. Specifically, the configurable logic device is programmable to create logical circuits connecting at least one of the input/output connectors of the integrated circuit to at least one of the input/output connectors of the connection layer. Configuration information for programming the reconfigurable logic device is stored in a memory within the module. |
| US08074076B2 |
Method to protect a cryptographic assembly by homographic masking
This invention relates to a method to protect an assembly implementing a cryptographic calculation process which uses a homographic function f of type: f(z)=(az+b)/(cz+d) when (cz+d) is not equal to 0 and f(−d/c)=a/c the function f operating on masked variables, wherein, for any k, if x is an input and y=f(x+k) is an output of the function f, to pass directly from a masked value x+m_i (additive masking of type XOR) to a masked value y+m_j, the method consists in comprises of performing this operation using a composition of several transformations operating on GF(2^k) with addition of the infinite, defined as (ax+b)/(cx+d), and of transformations which exchange two points. |
| US08074074B2 |
Compressed data scrambled distribution device and playback device thereof
The present invention provides a scrambled compressed data distribution device that can perform a high-resistance scrambled compressed data distribution by selectively using a plurality of types of scramble information and a playback device thereof.A scrambling section scrambles compressed data by unique one of a plurality of scrambling methods. A hash value calculating section determines a hash value based on data b in a position where digital watermark data is not embedded, and an encrypting section encrypts the hash value with a secret key Sk(n) corresponding to the scrambling method and outputs an encrypted hash value c. A watermark data embedding section embeds the encrypted hash value in a watermark data embedding position of the data b and transmits the same as a compressed data stream d. |
| US08074073B2 |
Certificate-based encryption and public key infrastructure
A digital message is sent from a sender to a recipient in a public-key based cryptosystem comprising an authorizer. The authorizer can be a single entity or comprise a hierarchical or distributed entity. In some embodiments, no key status queries or key escrow are needed. The recipient can decrypt the message only if the recipient possesses up-to-date authority from the authorizer. Other features are also provided. |
| US08074071B2 |
Reproducing apparatus, recording apparatus and display apparatus
A system effecting a data reproducing method for a plurality of devices, for sending and receiving data by authenticating the plurality of devices with each other, said data reproducing method including: selecting, from a plurality of descrambling methods, a descrambling method corresponding to a type of said data, executing authentication by an authenticating method corresponding to the selected descrambling method, where the authenticating method is selected from a plurality of authenticating methods, and reproducing said data. |
| US08074067B2 |
Member certificate acquiring device, member certificate issuing device, group signing device, and group signature verifying device
It is an object of the present invention to enhance the security and reduce the data amount of data to be handled in a group signing system, in which when the group public key which includes: a description for four groups: group 1, group 2, group T, and group E of the same order number; a description of bilinear mapping from group 1 and group 2 to group T; each generator of group 1, group 2, group T, and group E; and a signature public key of a signature scheme using group 1, group 2, and group T, is input, the member secret key including an integer not larger than the order number, member evidence which is a value given by multiplying the generator of group E by the member secret key, and an element of group 1 or group 2 which is a value given by multiplying the generator of the group 1 or the group 2 by the member secret key are sent to the member-certificate issuing device, and thereafter upon receipt of a signature for the member secret key, which is verifiable by the signature public key, from the member-certificate issuing device, the signature is used as the member certificate. |
| US08074065B2 |
Method and system for displaying information on installed units
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providing information about units installed in a computing device. The method includes identifying an installed unit prior to an initialization of an operating system and obtaining information about the installed unit, wherein the information comprises a regulatory identification number, a manufacturer's logo, or a combination thereof. The method also includes receiving a request to provide information about the installed unit and providing the information about the installed unit. |
| US08074063B2 |
Enhanced capabilities in provisioning
Some embodiments of enhanced capabilities in provisioning on computing machines in a networked system have been presented. In one embodiment, a software vendor deploys a centralized server to an internal network of a customer. The provisioning capabilities of a centralized server are extended to support an additional type of platform by downloading a set of kickstart files associated with the additional type of platform from a software vendor. The centralized server may provision on a computing machine coupled to the centralized server within the internal network based on a type of a platform of the computing machine using one or more of the plurality of kickstart files. |
| US08074062B2 |
Method and system for using a server management program for an error configuration table
Methods and systems are disclosed for using a server management program for an error configuration table, wherein a user loads the management program, which receives a Hardware Error Configuration Table (HECT) from baseboard management controller (BMC) firmware, the HECT table containing error control parameters for a hardware error event table. A replica of the HECT is maintained in SRAM using BMC firmware. The HECT is sent via the basic input output system (BIOS) during system power up. An interface is set up to allow the user to configure error event thresholds. The user can set preferred threshold of a system management requirement without rebooting system. If the user makes changes to the HECT, the management program sends the new HECT to BMC firmware to feedback the completion. A software SMI is issued to inform BIOS of HECT changes during the BMC completion. BIOS informs the operating system (OS) to discard and reload the new HECT. |
| US08074058B2 |
Providing extended precision in SIMD vector arithmetic operations
The present invention provides extended precision in SIMD arithmetic operations in a processor having a register file and an accumulator. A first set of data elements and a second set of data elements are loaded into first and second vector registers, respectively. Each data element comprises N bits. Next, an arithmetic instruction is fetched from memory. The arithmetic instruction is decoded. Then, the first vector register and the second vector register are read from the register file. The present invention executes the arithmetic instruction on corresponding data elements in the first and second vector registers. The resulting element of the execution is then written into the accumulator. Then, the resulting element is transformed into an N-bit width element and written into a third register for further operation or storage in memory. The transformation of the resulting element can include, for example, rounding, clamping, and/or shifting the element. |
| US08074056B1 |
Variable length pipeline processor architecture
In one implementation, a pipeline processor is provided having a base architecture that includes one or more decoders operable to decode program instructions and generate one or more decoded instructions, and one or more execution units operable to execute the one or more decoded instructions. Each execution unit includes one or more execution pipeline stages. The pipeline processor architecture further includes one or more additional co-processor pipelines. The one or more decoders of the base architecture are operable to recognize one or more instructions to be processed by a given co-processor pipeline and pass the one or more recognized instructions to the given co-processor pipeline for decoding and execution. |
| US08074052B2 |
System and method for assigning tags to control instruction processing in a superscalar processor
A tag monitoring system for assigning tags to instructions embodied in software on a tangible computer-readable storage medium. A source supplies instructions to be executed by a functional unit. A queue having a plurality of slots containing tags which are used for tagging instructions. A register file stores information required for the execution of each instruction at a location in the register file defined by the tag assigned to that instruction. A control unit monitors the completion of executed instructions and advances the tags in the queue upon completion of an executed instruction. The register file also contains a plurality of read address enable ports and corresponding read output ports. Each of the slots from the queue is coupled to a corresponding one of the read address enable ports. Thus, the information for each instruction can be read out of the register file in program order. |
| US08074048B2 |
Data storage device
A storage device includes a memory for storing data in a plurality of logical volumes; a controlling unit for controlling an access to data in accordance with a process comprising the steps of: generating mapping information indicative of a correspondence between logical volume information and recognition information; generating a pseudo logical volume and pseudo logical volume information associated with the pseudo logical volume, the pseudo logical volume being another of the logical volumes; and upon receipt of a command for canceling an assignment of one of the logical volumes to the corresponding recognition information, modifying the mapping information so that recognition information that has been indicative of said one of the logical volumes becomes indicative of the pseudo logical volume information associated with the pseudo logical volume. |
| US08074047B2 |
System and method for content replication detection and elimination in main memory
A system and method for effectively increasing the amount of data that can be stored in the main memory of a computer, particularly, by a hardware enhancement of a memory controller apparatus that detects duplicate memory contents and eliminates duplicate memory contents wherein the duplication and elimination are performed by hardware without imposing any penalty on the overall performance of the system. |
| US08074046B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and operation method thereof
A semiconductor memory device comprises an input unit inputting an address and data; a storage unit storing data and a FAT; an address conversion unit converting the address; an access unit accessing the storage unit according to the converted address; a detection unit detecting a format of the FAT; and an alteration unit altering conversion rules in the address conversion unit according to the detection. |
| US08074044B2 |
System and method for dynamic memory allocation
A method for managing the allocation of memory to one or more applications. The method includes allocating a variety of fixed size memory blocks to a requesting application, each of the fixed size memory blocks being free of header information to maximize memory usage. Free, or unused blocks of data of the same fixed size are maintained in a freelist having a number of block roots corresponding to the number of differently fixed size memory blocks. Each block root stores a root pointer to an unused memory block previously allocated to the application. To conserve memory, each unused memory block will store branch pointers to other identically sized unused memory blocks, thereby forming a sequential chain of unused memory blocks with the block root. Therefore, applications requesting the same sized memory block can re-use previously allocated fixed size memory blocks. |
| US08074042B2 |
Methods and system of pooling storage devices
A system and method are provided for pooling storage devices in a virtual library for performing a storage operation. A storage management device determines a storage characteristic of a plurality of storage devices with respect to performing a storage operation. Based on a storage characteristic relating to performing the storage operation, the storage management device associates at least two storage devices in a virtual library. The storage management device may continuously monitor the virtual library and detect a change in storage characteristics of the storage devices. When changes in storage characteristics are detected, the storage management device may change associations of the storage device in the virtual library. |
| US08074041B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for managing storage space allocation
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing storage space allocation. The apparatus includes a recognizing module, a reserving module, and a managing module. The recognizing module recognizes a trigger event at a client of the data storage system. The reserving module reserves logical units of space for data storage. The management module manages the logical units of space at the client. Such an arrangement provides for distributed management of storage space allocation within a storage area network (SAN). Facilitating client management of the logical units of space in this manner may reduce the number of required metadata transactions between the client and a metadata server and may increase performance of the SAN file system. Reducing metadata transactions effectively lowers network overhead, while increasing data throughput. |
| US08074039B2 |
Redundant array of independent disks-related operations
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include circuitry to generate, at least in part, and/or receive, at least in part, at least one access request involving a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) storage. The storage may be capable of accessing, in response, at least in part, to the at least one request an encryption and/or parity information. The encryption may be of at least one portion of the data and/or the parity information. The encryption may be stored in (1) encrypted disk stripes in the storage such that the data is unrecoverable based solely upon remaining unencrypted portion of the data and the parity information stored in the storage, and/or (2) one or more respective disk stripes having a number that is determined based at least in part upon one or more encryption levels, if any, associated with at least one characteristic of the data. |
| US08074037B2 |
Storage service device with dual controller and backup method thereof
A storage service device with a dual controller and a backup method thereof are applicable to provide the same view service to an event-login log and a configuration file of a server. The storage service device includes a first control module, a second control module, a battery unit, a basic input/output system (BIOS), and a backup procedure. Once a power failure occurs to the server, the following backup procedure is performed a hardware interrupt signal is sent to the battery unit, so as to provide an operation power to a first memory module and a second memory module; an index page of the first memory module is synchronized with that of the second memory module; and the updated index pages are recorded into a first flash memory and a second flash memory respectively. |
| US08074036B2 |
Data processing system having first, second and third storage systems that are arranged to be changeable between a first status and a second status in response to a predetermined condition at the first storage system
A data processing system includes a first storage system that is connected to a host device and sends and receives data to and from the host device; a second storage system that is connected to the first storage system and receives data from the first storage system; and a third storage system that is connected to the first storage system and receives data from the first storage system. The first storage system, the second storage system and the third storage system are arranged to be changeable between a first status including first and second copy pairs and a second status including a third copy pair in response to a predetermined condition at the first storage system. |
| US08074035B1 |
System and method for using multivolume snapshots for online data backup
A system and method for multivolume file system backup without suspending activity of user application programs uses a file system snapshot of two and more partitions or volumes of the storage device, or two and more data storages, significantly increasing computer system availability and allows backing up two and more partitions of the storage device without interrupting computer services. Backup procedure is performed online, simultaneously creates snapshots of two and more partitions of the storage device or storage devices in the pre-selected point of time and copies data blocks from partitions into the backup storage device, optionally through the intermediate storage device. When a write command is directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. |
| US08074034B2 |
Hybrid nonvolatile ram
A memory subsystem includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a controller including logic to interface the volatile memory to an external system. The volatile memory is addressable for reading and writing by the external system. The memory subsystem includes a power controller with logic to detect when power from the external system to at least one of the volatile and nonvolatile memories and to the controller fails. When external system power fails, backup power is provided to at least one of the volatile and nonvolatile memories and to the controller for long enough to enable the controller to back up data from the volatile memory to the nonvolatile memory. |
| US08074031B2 |
Multi-processor circuit with shared memory banks
A plurality of processors in a multiprocessor circuit is electrically connected to a plurality of independently addressable memory banks via a connection circuit. The connection circuit is arranged to forward addresses from a combination of the processors to addressing inputs of memory banks selected by the addresses. The connection circuit provides for a conflict resolution scheme wherein at least one of the processors is associated with one of the memory banks as an associated processor. The connection circuit guarantees the associated processor a higher minimum guaranteed access frequency to the associated memory banks than to non-associated memory banks. A defragmenter detects data associated with a task running on the associated processor that is stored on one of the memory banks and moves the data to the associated memory banks during execution of the task. |
| US08074030B1 |
Using transactional memory with early release to implement non-blocking dynamic-sized data structure
By exploiting an early release facility that may be provided by certain transactional memory designs, we facilitate transaction software constructs that operate on dynamically-sized data structures and/or other data structures for which traversal may be data dependent. Absent exploitation of such a facility, the act of traversing the data structure would typically introduce corresponding locations into the read set of a transaction, and a subsequent modification of any of the previously traversed locations would result in abortion of the traversing transaction. By exploiting an early release facility such as described herein, a transaction may release the locations that it has previously read in traversal and thereby eliminate such read locations as a source of conflict with other concurrently executing computations or transactions. In this way, concurrency may be enhanced while still employing a conceptually simple and convenient coordination facility. |
| US08074029B2 |
Processor equipped with a pre-fetch function and pre-fetch control method
A processor equipped with a pre-fetch function comprises: first layer cache memory having a first line size; second layer cache memory that is on the under layer of the first layer cache memory and that has a second line size different from the first line size; and a pre-fetch control unit for issuing a pre-fetch request from the first layer cache memory to the second layer cache memory so as to pre-fetch a block equivalent to the first line size for each second line size. |
| US08074028B2 |
Systems and methods of providing a multi-tier cache
The present solution provides a multi-tiered caching and cache indexing system is depicted. A cache management system uses a memory based object index to reference or identify corresponding objects stored in disk. The memory used to index object may grow proportionally or in relation to growth in the size of the disk. The techniques described herein minimize, reduce or maintain the size of memory for an object index although the size of storage for storing objects is changed. These techniques allow for more optimal use of memory for object indexing while increasing or decreasing disk size for object storage. |
| US08074025B2 |
Method and system for copying live entities of source blocks identified by source list for selected destination block to selected destination block of memory heap
A memory manager that compacts a memory heap and reclaims space allocated to dead entities is disclosed. The memory manager may include threads of a first phase, threads of a second phase, and threads of a third phase. The threads of the first phase may assign a target address to each live entity of the memory heap. The thread of the second phase may update references of the memory heap based upon the target address for each live entity. The threads of the third phase may copy each live entity of the memory heap to its target address. |
| US08074023B2 |
In-system programming to switch memory access from one area to another in memory cards
In-system programming to switch memory access from one area to another in memory cards is disclosed. A command to access a first area of a memory card is received. Access is switched from the first area of the memory card to a second area of the memory card if specified data follows the received command allowing for the memory access switch. |
| US08074012B2 |
Flash memory apparatus and method for securing a flash memory from data damage
A data backup method for a flash memory is provided. After writing of data to a plurality of written pages of a first block of a flash memory is completed, a last weak page of the written pages is determined. A first strong page corresponding to the last weak page is then determined. A plurality of strong pages between the first strong page and the last weak page are then determined. Data of the plurality of strong pages is the coped to a backup area of the flash memory for data recovery. |
| US08074009B2 |
Sharing of host bus adapter context
A system comprises a first host bus adapter (HBA) that uses a first context to facilitate the transmission of packets through a logical connection through the first HBA. The system also comprises a second HBA and memory in which the first context is stored. The memory is accessible by both of the first and second HBAs. Upon receiving a packet associated with the logical connection, the second HBA accesses the memory to use the first context to process the packet in accordance with the first context. |
| US08074003B1 |
Host-based storage controller providing block devices in geographically distributed storage
A data processing system is distributed across a plurality of locations coupled together by a wide-area communications network and includes physical storage devices and a set of host computers distributed across the locations. Each host executes both a local initiator application and a local caching storage controller (CSC) application. The CSC applications (1) define a set of block devices presented to the initiator applications for block-oriented data storage operations, the block devices being virtual devices utilizing the underlying physical storage devices, (2) engage in a distributed cache coherence protocol to present the block devices consistently to the initiator applications, (3) in response to a local block storage read command from an initiator application, retrieve the requested data from the local CSC application's cache, from a remote CSC application's cache, or from a physical storage device, and (4) in response to a local block storage write command from an initiator application, invalidate all currently cached user data for the locations/addresses associated with the write command, and either store the user data associated with the write in one or more local or remote CSC application's caches or write the user data to one or more local or remote physical storage devices. |
| US08074002B2 |
Route aware serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) switch
An embodiment of the present invention is disclosed to include a SATA Switch allowing for access by two hosts to a single port SATA device Further disclosed are embodiments for reducing the delay and complexity of the SATA Switch. |
| US08073994B2 |
Data transfer, synchronising applications, and low latency networks
Asynchronous network interface and method of synchronisation between two applications on different computers is provided. The network interface contains snooping hardware which can be programmed to contain triggering values comprising either addresses, address ranges or other data which are to be matched. These data are termed “trip wires”. Once programmed, the interface monitors the data stream, including address data, passing through the interface for addresses and data which match the trip wires which have been set. On a match, the snooping hardware can generate interrupts, increment event counters, or perform some other application-specified action. This snooping hardware is preferably based upon Content-Addressable Memory.The invention thus provides in-band synchronisation by using synchronisation primitives which are programmable by user level applications, while still delivering high bandwidth and low latency. The programming of the synchronisation primitives can be made by the sending and receiving applications independently of each other and no synchronisation information is required to traverse the network. |
| US08073992B2 |
Data transfer device and data transfer method
There are provided a transfer request module 2 for interpreting a data transfer request received from outside; a transfer instruction module 1 including a receiving section 10 for receiving the data transfer request after interpretation by the transfer request module 2, a remaining data setting section 12 for setting a data volume to be transferred in accordance with the data transfer request after the interpretation the receiving section 10 receives, a remaining data retaining section 16 for holding the data volume set by the remaining data setting section 12, a remaining data reading section 13 for reading the data volume held in the remaining data retaining section 16, a counter setting section 14 for setting a limit of the number of times of transfer unit settings in accordance with the data transfer request after the interpretation the receiving section 10 receives, a counter 17 for holding the limit of the number of times of the settings carried out by the counter setting section 14 and for counting down the value it holds every time the transfer unit is set, a counter reading section 15 for reading the value held in the counter 17, and a transfer instruction section 11 for instructing a controller module to transfer data in response to the data transfer request after the interpretation which is transmitted via the receiving section; and the controller module 3 for transferring the data in accordance with the instruction from the transfer instruction section 11. |
| US08073990B1 |
System and method for transferring updates from virtual frame buffers
A method and apparatus for transferring data from a first to a second memory of a computer system. The method comprises (i) initializing a descriptor with a description of physical addressing of a first section of a first array of the first memory; (ii) updating a mask associated with the descriptor with an indication for transferring data from a first sub-section of the first section to the second memory, the mask and the data managed by an application on a first virtual machine of the computer system, the application isolated from the physical addressing of the first section; (iii) responsive to the updated mask, (a) determining physical addresses of the first sub-section based on the description, and (b), transferring the data from the first sub-section to the second memory; and (iv) clearing at least a portion of the updated mask to indicate completion of transferring the data. |
| US08073986B2 |
Memory devices configured to identify an operating mode
Memory devices having a memory module, an interface, identification circuitry and a controller coupled to the memory module and the identification circuitry. The identification circuitry is configured to identify a selected operating mode from a plurality of signals sensed at the interface in response to a plurality of signals previously applied to the interface by the identification circuitry. The controller is operable to configure the memory device to the selected operating mode responsive to the identification circuitry. |
| US08073982B2 |
Method for setting an operating parameter a peripheral IC and device for carrying out said method
The invention relates to a method for setting an operating parameter in a peripheral IC. In this method, the operating parameter is transmitted from a central IC via a bus connection to the peripheral IC. The method is characterized in that the operating parameter is initially buffered in a preregister in the peripheral IC, and in that the buffered operating parameter is transferred into a working register only if a transfer signal is sent from the central IC via the bus connection. This method has the advantage that, for example in the case of rapidly changing receive conditions in a send/receive unit, adjustment of the send or receive gain setting is very flexible, and it is easy to avoid an incorrect setting due to a detected signal fluctuation. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method. |
| US08073978B2 |
Proximity guided data discovery
Techniques are described for sharing content among peers. Locality domains are treated as first order network units. Content is located at the level of a locality domain using a hierarchical DHT in which nodes correspond to locality domains. A peer searches for a given piece of content in a proximity guided manner and terminates at the earliest locality domain (in the hierarchy) which has the content. Locality domains are organized into hierarchical clusters based on their proximity. |
| US08073977B2 |
Internet telephony through hosts
Systems of the invention employ peer-to-peer and centralized server networking to enable POTS/PSTN/PBX phone lines to be shared with other users of the system over the Internet. An example application of the invention is to allow a person, having access to an Internet connection, to receive calls and make calls using his/her home or office telephone, or using the phones of other parties that he/she is authorized to access. In preferred embodiments, the invention can exploit availability of an existing voice modem port on the user's home or office computer, and can require only the installation of software on the home or office computer, and on whatever device (laptop, PDA, computer, mobile phones, etc.) is employed by the user in the remote location. Variant realizations of the invention may also provide any combination of features typically available to phone users, including, for example, the following features: authentication, verification, directory services, directory search, access rights, call forwarding, call answering, voice, mail, missed-call information, call screening, and caller identification. |
| US08073975B2 |
Synchronization of side information caches
In order to improve interactive compression using compression state information, the side information caches of communicating parties must be updated, or synchronized. The present invention is directed to a method of synchronizing side information databases within an interactive compression system comprising two communicating parties comprising the steps of transmitting, from the a first communicating party to the second communicating party, a device hierarchical node index; comparing the device hierarchical node index with a server hierarchical node index and then determining a shared hierarchical node index based on common entries in the two hierarchical node indexes. |
| US08073974B2 |
Object oriented mission framework and system and method
A mission system includes a peer vector machine having a host processor and pipeline accelerator and including bridge objects that provide communication via signal objects, message objects, and mission objects. |
| US08073972B2 |
System and method for location discovery based on DNS
A system and method for enabling a client to query a DNS server for location information that is associated with the client's IP address. The client receives the location information which identifies a list of sub-locations and a location IP address space encompassing the sub-locations listed. The client selects a network service located nearest to the client based on the location information, and then accesses the network service. |
| US08073970B2 |
In-line static and dynamic content delivery
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for returning website content after being requested by a client. A static component may be requested, which may be updated, and a dynamic component may be requested. The combination of static and dynamic website content may be returned to the client. |
| US08073968B1 |
Method and apparatus for automatically optimizing routing operations at the edge of a network
An Optimized Edge Routing (OER) technique provides efficiently data routing at the edge of a network or subnetwork. The technique employs a Master node that manages a set of border nodes located at the edge of the network or subnetwork. The Master node may be a stand-alone network management node or may be incorporated into a network node, such as a border node. Unlike prior implementations, the Master node instructs the border nodes to dynamically acquire (“learn”) prefixes of incoming and outgoing data flows and to selectively filter a set of learned address prefixes whose corresponding data flows match a predetermined set of criteria. The criteria may be based on routing metrics other than, or in addition to, conventional cost-based or distance-based metrics. Further, the criteria may include a set of filtering parameters that may be reconfigured, e.g., by the Master node, from time to time. Using the learned prefixes filtered by the border nodes, the Master node can distribute network traffic and utilize network bandwidth more efficiently than conventionally done. |
| US08073962B2 |
Queued transaction processing
A method, system, and computer program product for processing a transaction between a client and an application server asynchronously in a distributed transaction processing environment having at least one transaction queue manager. An application request is received from a client to initiate a transaction. The request is placed in a transaction request queue by the transaction queue manager. The request is processed at the application server asynchronously relative to the receipt of the request. A response to the request is determined, and the response is placed in a transaction response queue for retrieval by the client. |
| US08073960B2 |
Arranging management operations in management system
The invention relates to a method for arranging local operations in a management system, the method comprising: defining a management command addressed to a first node in a management structure of the managed device such that it comprises a command for performing a local operation for a second node of the management structure in the managed device, transmitting the management command to the managed device, defining at least one required local operation on the basis of the received management command, and initiating the defined local operation. |
| US08073957B2 |
Communication control system
A communication control system for intervening in the communication between a PC terminal in an external network and a portable telephone terminal with an electronic mail transmission/reception function in a mobile communication network has a database in which a portable telephone number and a mail account are stored in association with each other. Upon receipt of an access request with an FQDN to a predetermined portable telephone terminal from the PC terminal, the communication control system solves the name of the portable telephone terminal by searching the database on the basis of a host name (mail account name) extracted from the FQDN to acquire the telephone number corresponding to the host name (mail account name) as address information, thereby making a connection of the communication to the mobile communication terminal on the basis of the address information acquired by solving the name. |
| US08073951B1 |
System and method for allocating resources across a plurality of distributed nodes
A method for intelligently allocating limited resources of a media server across a plurality of remote display devices communicating with the media server through a network, includes providing each remote display device with state detection logic to determine whether the remote display device is in an active or inactive state; initially allocating a resource of the media server to a first remote display device; and, in response to detecting by the state detection logic that the first remote display device is in an inactive state, reallocating the resource from the first remote display device to the second remote display device. |
| US08073950B2 |
System and method for aggregation and analysis of information from multiple disparate sources while assuring source and record anonymity using an exchange hub
The invention provides a system and method for automated data analysis in which data agents are located and operate at each member site or data source (i.e., locally). These agents access stored data at the data source or member sites, process the data and also aggregate the results. The aggregated results from each of the member sites are then forwarded to and further aggregated at a central analytic hub. The central analytic hub contains a centralized application which can further aggregate each of the aggregated results and perform a final analysis. These results are then delivered to the requester without any ability to identify individual data sources, or records from those sources. |
| US08073948B2 |
System and method for establishing a point-to-point connection
A communications system including a communications network, a multiplicity of communications terminals, a monitor operative to monitor whether or not a specific user is connected to the communications network, a point-to-point connection enabler operative to conditionally allow at least one seeking user to establish a point-to-point connection with at least one other user who is in a set of sought users and an authorization request manager operative to transmit an authorization request to the at least one other user, when the at least one other user is connected to the communications network, receive a response to the authorization request from the at least one other user and transmit the response to the point-to-point connection enabler prior to the point-to-point connection enabler allowing establishment of the point-to-point connection. |
| US08073944B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a point of loss of data on a communication network
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which may provide for determining a point of loss for data records to be communicated between a source and a destination on a communication network. A topology of the communication network between the source and the destination is determined which includes a plurality of connecting nodes. A number of data records from the source directed to the destination passing between ones of the connecting nodes during a determined period of time is monitored. At least one of the connecting nodes is identified as the point of loss based on the monitored number of data records and the determined topology. |
| US08073943B2 |
Graphical user interface for adding measurements to existing distributed network troubleshooting system
A graphical user interface provides a link to network related measurements by network analysis devices, to present a test including perceptibly correlated network-related measurements by two or more of the network analysis devices through a selectable graphical display corresponding to the network analysis devices, and a selectable graphical display corresponding to at least one measurement for each selected network analysis device. The test provides a newly added measurement. |
| US08073941B2 |
Method and system for providing remote access to applications
A method of remotely providing an application includes receiving, at an access server, a request for an application from a client. One or more application servers which are capable of providing the requested application are identified base at least in part on a resource of the identified one or more application servers. The client is provided with the identified one or more application servers which are capable of providing the application. |
| US08073931B2 |
Networked touchscreen with integrated interfaces
An integrated security system integrates broadband and mobile access and control with conventional security systems and premise devices to provide a tri-mode security network that with remote connectivity and access. The integrated security system includes a touchscreen providing security keypad functionality as well as content management and presentation, and is used as a security system interface and an interface for interacting with a network. The integrated security system delivers remote premise monitoring and control functionality to conventional monitored premise protection and complements existing premise protection equipment. The integrated security system integrates into the premise network and couples wirelessly with the conventional security panel, enabling broadband access to premise security systems. Automation devices can be added, enabling users to remotely see live video or pictures and control home devices via a personal web portal, mobile phone, or other client device. Users can receive notifications of detected events via electronic message. |
| US08073928B2 |
Aggregating and searching profile data from multiple services
Profile data from multiple networking services can be combined and queried from one networking service. A primary networking service may store user profile data for one or more secondary networking services and the primary networking service. When stored, the data from the multiple networks may be aggregated or merged. The stored data may include user profile data and relationship data for each networking service that a primary networking service has a profile account with. A graph of user-contact relationships existing over the primary networking service and one or more secondary networking services may be constructed and queried against. |
| US08073925B2 |
Device management system and method
A device management system and method is provided. The device management system and method includes a transmission server to transmit a communication from at least one device. A reception server receives the communication from the at least one device. And a device manager coupled to the reception server manages the at least one device by automatically parsing the communication received by the reception server. The device manager authorizes the communication for further processing where the device manager includes a device list including identification data associated with the at least one device. The device manager includes an alert processing component that generates an alert message responsive to the device list. |
| US08073924B2 |
Routing and delivery of data for electronic design automation workloads in geographically distributed clouds
Electronic design automation (EDA) libraries are delivered using a geographically distributed private cloud including EDA design centers and EDA library stores. EDA projects associated with an EDA library are determined by matching information describing the EDA library with information describing the projects. A set of design centers hosting the projects is determined. A data delivery model is determined for transmitting the EDA library to the design centers. The EDA library is scheduled for delivery to the design centers based on a deadline associated with a project stage that requires the EDA library. Network links with specialized hardware for transmitting data are determined in the private cloud by measuring their deterioration in performance on increase of data transmission load. These links are used for delivering EDA libraries expected to be used urgently for a stage of an EDA project. |
| US08073921B2 |
Methods for remote monitoring and control of appliances over a computer network
The remote monitoring and controlling of controllable devices is provided by sending control information to and receiving status information from information appliances over a network. A user is able to monitor the information appliances from a remote location, and control the information appliances from the remote location. The remote monitoring and control can be facilitated by graphical user interfaces. The information appliance can be a home lighting system, a home alarm system, a home entertainment system, a water gardening system, a home heating system, a home cooling system, and a television system having recording capabilities. |
| US08073919B2 |
Mobile terminal, method, and computer program for communicating data with servers with data collision control
A mobile terminal, data communication method, and a computer program stored in a computer-readable medium for communicating management data in a more efficient way. A management data communication interface communicates management data regularly with a management server, while an application data communication interface communicates application data with an application server on a demand basis. A data collision detector detects a collision between the management data and application data. If a collision is detected, a priority resolver determines whether to prioritize application data over management data. The management data suppressor suspends the management data communication interface when the priority resolver has determined that application data should be prioritized over management data. |
| US08073917B2 |
System for determining email spam by delivery path
A spam detector for determining likelihood of forgery of a source in an email addressed to a destination is provided, comprising extraction means for extracting delivery path information from one or more packets in the packet flow of the email, and comparison means for comparing the extracted delivery path information with trusted delivery path information from the source to the destination. |
| US08073916B2 |
Managing electronic messages
A recipient computer system may receive one or more electronic messages. The recipient computer system may send one, two, or more challenge messages to the sender of the electronic messages in determining whether to deliver the electronic message. The recipient computer system may accept or reject an electronic message based on the response, or lack of response, to the challenge messages. The recipient computer system may send two or more challenge messages at intervals. A sender computer system may record activity of the sender computer system for a recipient computer system to use in determining whether to deliver an electronic message. A sender computer system may provide a summary of that activity with an electronic message. A sender computer system may provide an authorization key for a recipient computer system to use in determining whether to deliver an electronic message. The authorization key may be generated by a third party. |
| US08073912B2 |
Sender authentication for difficult to classify email
The portion of email traffic that cannot be definitively determined to be spam or definitively determined to be ham (non-spam) is processed by sending a bounceback email to the sender, requiring the sender to reply using a sub-address created by the bounceback generator. The type of bounceback email depends on whether the domain of the received email indicates that the sender is or is not likely to be a spammer. When the sender is not likely to be a spammer, the bounceback email includes a sub-address in computer readable form. When the sender is likely to be a spammer, the bounceback email includes a test that must be solved to yield the sub-address; preferably, the test is very difficult for a computer to solve but reasonably easy for a human to solve. When a reply email to the bounceback email (“reply bounceback”) is received, the presence of the sub-address indicates that the sender is not a spammer, so the reply bounceback is determined to be ham and delivered to the destination mailbox. The bounceback can have the sub-address encoded in such a way that a human must be involved in decoding, which is appropriate for situations where the envelope sender domain of the original email is considered suspicious. The bounceback can have the sub-address presented in a computer readable format when the envelope sender domain of the original email is more trustworthy, if authenticated. Authentication information can be retained in a local private Sender Policy Framework (SPF) database, or shared in a centralized private SPF database. |
| US08073905B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining consistency of a shared space across multiple endpoints in a peer-to-peer collaborative computer system
In a peer-to-peer collaboration system, deltas containing data change commands are organized in a persistent data structure called a delta log. The delta log is organized into blocks, which are the largest division in the delta log. In turn, blocks contain groups, groups contain chains and chains contain deltas. Delta blocks are used to implement priority deltas that are used to limit the collection of data change commands that must be transferred. Within a block the deltas are organized by groups, each of which is a set of deltas organized into chains. The delta group in used to determine which deltas to purge. The chains are ordered by increasing creator ID of the endpoint that created the chain. Organizing the delta log in this fashion allows the log to be “walked” to detect convergence problems. To achieve causality-preservation, each delta has a list of dependencies representing other deltas that must be executed before the current delta can be executed. The dynamics manager uses the ability to do (execute) and undo commands to perform roll back and roll forward operations on deltas in order to achieve convergence. |
| US08073904B2 |
Metasearch engine for ordering items returned in search results using multiple queries on multiple unique hosts
Process and system for metasearching on the Internet performed by a metasearch engine, comprising: receiving an HTTP request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to a plurality of unique hosts providing access to information to be searched, each search query comprising at least one keyword; sending the plurality of search queries to the plurality of unique hosts in response to the HTTP request from the client device; receiving search results from the plurality of unique hosts in response to the plurality of search queries sent to the plurality of unique hosts, wherein the search results comprise details about an item that may be ordered; incorporating the received search results into a response; communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device; receiving another HTTP request from the client device for placing an order for the item; processing the order. |
| US08073902B2 |
Method and computer-readable medium for delivering hybrid static and dynamic content
The present invention relates generally to software functional modules and, in particular, to such modules used for delivering hybrid static and dynamic content. More particularly, there is described a computer-readable storage medium and corresponding method. The storage medium comprises: (a) a repository of static content; and (b) a program element for execution by a computing device to deliver hybrid content via a user interface. The program element comprises: (i) program code means for commanding instantiation of a functional module remote from the computing device; (ii) program code means for receiving dynamic content from the remote functional module; (iii) program code means for accessing the repository of static content; and (iv) program code means for delivering hybrid content on the basis of the static content in the repository and the dynamic content received from the remote functional module. |
| US08073900B2 |
Method and system for providing on-line interactivity over a server-client network
Apparatus and a method for communicating media over a network including encoding the media into a server database at a server, downloading from the server database to a client database generally only those portions of the media which are necessary to satisfy user requests and in response to a user request for a given item of media, determining whether the media is present in the client database, and if not, automatically downloading those portions of the media which are necessary to supply the user with the given item of media from the server database. An image server is provided including at least one processor operative to supply portions of image data to clients in response to multiple requests therefrom, and thread management software operating the at least one processor by causing it to process the requests using at least one of a plurality of threads, the thread management software being characterized in that it initiates a new thread when an existing thread has exceeded a predetermined metric of busyness. |
| US08073895B2 |
System and method for delivering web content to a mobile device
A system and method for delivery web content to a mobile device. A system includes a content delivery program associated with a webpage, where the webpage includes at least one content item. The content delivery program is configured to receive a user selection signal related to the at least one content item, receive an identifier of the mobile device, and initiate a delivery of the at least one content item to the mobile device based on the user selection signal and the identifier. |
| US08073894B1 |
Compact switched-capacitor FIR filter implementation
A system is provided to perform non-recursive signal processing tasks using a sampled data technique and a network of switched-capacitor filters. The input analog signal is sampled in a time sequence manner at regular time intervals in order to obtain analog-valued samples. These samples are collected into data blocks and the data blocks are assembled into a set of data blocks. The successive data blocks belonging to a set of data blocks partially overlap with the first data block. The non-recursive signal processing is performed on all of the data blocks of the set substantially simultaneously, using a parallel network of switched capacitor filters, in order to produce a processed analog output signal. Each individual processing path of the parallel network of switched capacitor filters processes a specific data block of the set of data blocks. The number of parallel processing paths is the same as one plus the degree of the polynomial representing the desired or overall input/output equation characterizing the non-recursive signal processing. An implementing architecture can be simplified by factorizing the polynomial representing the input/output equation into smaller sized polynomial sub-tasks that can each be implemented by a sub-system of parallel network of switched capacitor filters of smaller complexity. |
| US08073892B2 |
Cryptographic system, method and multiplier
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a multiplier that includes a set of multiple multipliers configured in parallel where the set of multiple multipliers have access to a first operand and a second operand to multiply, the first operand having multiple segments and the second operand having multiple segments. The multiplier also includes logic to repeatedly supply a single segment of the second operand to each multiplier of the set of multiple multipliers and to supply multiple respective segments of the first operand to the respective ones of the set of multiple multipliers until each segment of the second operand has been supplied with each segment of the first operand. The logic shifts the output of different ones of the set of multiple multipliers based, at least in part, on the position of the respective segments within the first operand. The multiplier also includes an accumulator coupled to the logic. |
| US08073891B2 |
Method for implementing montgomery modular multiplication and device therefore
Device for implementing modular multiplication, characterized in that it comprises at least one computation cell comprising a multiplier-adder comprising p pipelined logic-register pairs, receiving several digits to be added together and multiplied, at least two outputs corresponding to the low order and to the high order, an adder receiving the two outputs of the multiplier-adder, the number p being chosen in such a way that the maximum frequency of the multiplier-adder is greater than or equal to the maximum frequency of the adder. |
| US08073890B2 |
Continuous high-frequency event filter
A circuit and method for generating an active output signal in response to detecting N events, which are represented by an event signal. A counter circuit is configured to increment and decrement through a sequence of values in response to the event signal. Detection logic coupled to the counter circuit is configured to detect at least first and second values of the sequence. The detection logic is further configured to generate the active output signal and switch to detecting the second value in response to detecting the first value and generate the active output signal and switch to detecting the first value in response to detecting the second value. The first and second values are separated by N counts. |
| US08073888B2 |
Random number generator and random number generating method thereof
A random number generator and a random number generating method thereof are provided. The random number generator includes a signal generating unit and a sampling unit. The signal generating unit is adapted for memorizing a status of a noise generated during a transient of an output signal of an output buffer, and accordingly generating a frequency conversion signal which changes according to time and ambient factors. The sampling unit is coupled to the signal generating unit for receiving the frequency conversion signal, and sampling the frequency conversion signal according to a sampling clock pulse, so as to obtain a plurality of sets of unpredictable random number codes. |
| US08073886B2 |
Non-privileged access to data independent of filesystem implementation
An application programming interface (API) module provides access to data, independent of filesystem implementation in a non-privileged user mode. A discovery volume having a filesystem recognizable by an operating system has cover files which prevent damage to data stored in an unrecognizable primary volume. The discovery volume also includes a data access API available for execution in a non-privileged user mode to render the primary volume accessible by operating systems which would otherwise find the primary volume unrecognizable. |
| US08073883B2 |
Methods and apparatus for concurrently executing a garbage collection process during execution of a primary application program
A wireless mobile communication device has an application program and a garbage collection program stored in memory. The garbage collection program is configured to identify a root set of referenced objects of the application program with use of a reference indicator array and to perform a mark and sweep process based on the root set of referenced objects. The reference indicator array has a plurality of reference indicators where each referenced indicator corresponding to a referenced object is set as referenced. The application program is configured to be executed during execution of a mark and sweep process of the garbage collection program, such that information received or provided via the user interface during the execution of the mark and sweep process is received or provided without suspension or delay. The application program has computer instructions which are based on an instruction set defined by a plurality of opcodes or native codes, including a single predefined opcode or a single predefined native code which is a “get object reference” instruction. Each “get object reference” instruction is associated with a target object and is defined to retrieve a reference from the target object and also set one of the reference indicators corresponding to the target object as referenced in the reference indicator array. |
| US08073874B2 |
Bit string searching apparatus, searching method, and program
A bit string searching apparatus has a coupled node tree, having a root node and a node pair, the node pair being a branch node and leaf node, or a pair of branch nodes, or a pair of leaf nodes in adjacent storage areas, the branch node including a search key discrimination bit position and information indicating a position of one node of a node pair of a link target, and the leaf node including an index key that is a bit string that is the target of a search, wherein a search for an index key from the root node to a branch node using a search key is executed by repeatedly and successively linking to one node of a node pair of a link target, according to a bit value of a search key at the discrimination bit position in the branch node, until reaching the leaf node. |
| US08073873B2 |
Online screen navigation and linkage
Disclosed herein are methods for automatically managing information relating to a customs agency's import regulations. The methods disclosed include procedures for maintaining import data according to the regulations as they become updated or changed. Also disclosed are procedures for interfacing with a plurality of software applications utilized for performing various steps of a method for managing import data according to the regulations. |
| US08073872B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a processor and a memory unit connected to the processor. The memory unit stores a setting value and an web application. The web application causes the processor to change the setting value according to a request message from a client. The web application causes the processor to update the setting value stored in the memory unit with a setting value contained in a query string if the request message indicates a request for changing the setting value and the request message is transmitted from the client by a user with administrator privilege, and the web application causes the processor to insert a cookie having the setting value contained in the query string to a response header if the request message is transmitted from the client by a user without administrator privilege. |
| US08073861B2 |
Identifying opportunities for effective expansion of the content of a collaboration application
Within a document collaboration system, such as a wiki application, a logging component operates in association with a server. The logging component automatically creates and maintains a log of interactions between the server and users of the document collaboration system. The content of the log has a predictable format. In one embodiment, an analysis component identifies, from the log, entries associated with a failed search for a document in the collaboration system database. The terms not represented in the database are identified from the failed search entry. In this manner, statistics related to frequently unsuccessful search terms are generated and utilized as a basis for identifying opportunities for effective expansion of the content of the collaboration application. |
| US08073858B2 |
Method of selectively displaying data
To provide data to a user front end while conserving processor resources and network bandwidth, a front end driver operates between the user front end and data processing and storage devices. When users access databases from the user front end, the front end driver maintains virtual objects containing control information associated with the windows and data items visible at the user front end. The user front end need only maintain data corresponding to the visible data items, while the front end driver provides updated versions of the visible data items to the user front end. The updated data items may be provided at refresh intervals, independent of the rate at which the front end driver downloads data from the storage devices. Thus, the system provides access to all database data in a manner that appears to the user as real time, while conserving resources at the user front end. |
| US08073857B2 |
Semantics-based data transformation over a wire in mashups
A method of sharing data between wired properties associated with disparate data types includes receiving a first specification for dividing data items having a first data type published by an output property of a first service task into a first set of sub-units and a second specification for dividing data items having a second data type consumed an input property of a second service task into a second set of sub-units; receiving transformation logic for transforming data items divided into the first set of sub-units to data items divided into the second set of sub-units; dividing a first data item published by the output property into the first set of sub-units; applying the transformation logic to transform the divided first item to a second data item divided into the second set of sub-units; and joining the divided second data item. The service tasks are registered with an aggregation application that includes a wire between the properties. |
| US08073853B2 |
System and method for network administration and local administration of privacy protection criteria
Cookie files are screened in a client machine, wherein a cookie file includes a cookie file source. A request from a subscriber is received at a server to send a list of untrusted cookie file sources to the client machine. The list of untrusted cookie file sources is downloaded from the server to the client machine. The downloaded list of untrusted cookie file sources is used to detect cookie files received at the client machine from cookie file sources on the downloaded list by comparing the cookie file source of any received cookie file to the untrusted cookie file sources on the downloaded list. |
| US08073847B2 |
Extended user profile
A method of extending user profile. A user specific data related to an application is received and stored for integration with a user profile. A template for the application is received and stored. The template tailors the user specific data based on aesthetic preferences of the user to generate a tailored user specific data. The user profile is extended based on the user specific data for the application and the template for the application. The user profile including the tailored user specific data may be provided for rendering. Local information, e.g., geographical location, of the user may be determined to tailor the user profile based on the local information. The user specific data and/or the template may be in a markup language format. Update to the user specific data and/or template may be pushed when available. |
| US08073846B2 |
Control method for disposing graphical elements
The invention relates to a method for controlling the disposition of graphical elements, whose positioning is effected by a layout manager component, according to which the elements are listed in tuples according to a predetermined method. A Boolean condition is evaluated for every tuple and if said Boolean condition is met an associated command is carried out that comprises the control command for the layout manager component. The inventive method is preferably used in generator systems for generating applications that extract data bases, whereby for every line of the result table graphical objects are generated and said objects are disposed on the graphical surface by way of the indicated method. |
| US08073845B2 |
Information retrieval apparatus, information retrieval system, and information retrieval method
Provided is an information retrieval method including: retrieving, by a computer, a name including input characters from a database for storing the name, an attribute word associated with the name, and a degree of relevance between the name and the attribute word; outputting the retrieved name as a candidate name; and extracting an attribute word associated with the candidate name, the extracting including: calculating a degree of independency indicating a degree of difference between the extracted attribute words, a degree of coverage indicating an extent to which the combination of the extracted attribute words covers the candidate names, and a degree of equality of a number of corresponding candidate names for each attribute word; and calculating a score of the combination of the attribute words based on at least one of the independency, the coverage and the equality to output the combinations of the attribute words to an output unit. |
| US08073844B2 |
Pre-purchase device interoperability validation
An interoperability assessment between two or more devices can be based on the devices' specifications and on empirical evidence of interoperability. Comparisons between the devices' capabilities can provide an initial assessment of interoperability, which can be further supported, or contradicted, by empirical evidence. Interoperability determinations can leverage existing data collection, such as error reporting and user identities to obtain estimates of empirical usage of devices, and to provide for a level of automation for requesting users. Interoperability determinations can also be offered, with identity protection limitations, for users other than the requesting user to facilitate gift-giving or agent purchasing. |
| US08073843B2 |
Mechanism for deferred rewrite of multiple XPath evaluations over binary XML
A mechanism is provided for improving the performance of particular database queries operating on a view comprising binary-encoded XML. A determination is made about whether a XML index is available to improve the computation of XPath data before deriving an optimized execution plan for a particular query. When a XML index is not available to help expedite the computation of binary-encoded XML, then deferring the computation of the XPath data until after the view merge stage avoids unnecessary computation of XPaths that are part of the view but not needed for the particular query. |
| US08073841B2 |
Optimizing correlated XML extracts
Queries that request fields that are contained in the same XML fragments are written to execute them more efficiently. |
| US08073838B2 |
Pseudo-anchor text extraction
A search method uses pseudo-anchor text associated with search objects to improve search performance. The pseudo-anchor text may be extracted in combination with an identifier of the search objects (such as a pseudo-URL) from a digital corpus such as a collection of documents. Pseudo-anchor texts for each object are preferably extracted from candidate anchor blocks using a machine learning based approach. The pseudo-anchor texts are made available for searching and used to help rank the objects in a search result to improve search performance. The method may be used in vertical search of objects such as published articles, products and images that lack explicit URLs and anchor text information. |
| US08073836B2 |
System for viewing databases
A system and method allows for dynamic, parameterized linking of database views or tables. The database tables are related in a parent-dependent relationship, with dependent tables being linked to parent tables through a parameter. When a new record in the parent table is scrolled to, dependent tables automatically run queries and return records with matching parameters. The parameters include field values. Several table views may be combined in a single database table set. Multiple dependent tables may be linked to an individual parent table in a parallel manner. Dependent tables may also be cascaded through intermediate parent tables, each table in the cascade acting as a dependent to its parent and acting as a parent table to its dependent table(s). Database table sets may be saved and may be transmitted, for example via email. |
| US08073835B2 |
Systems and methods of building and using custom word lists
Standard word lists that are often used for such operations as predictive text, spell checking, and word completion are based on general linguistic data that might not accurately reflect actual text usage patterns of particular users. Systems and methods of building and using a custom word list for use in text operations on an electronic device are provided. A collection of text items associated with a user of the electronic device is scanned to identify words in the text items. A weighting is then assigned to each identified word, and the words and corresponding weightings are stored. |
| US08073834B2 |
Efficient handling of multipart queries against relational data
A query having multiple parts may be processed to form an intermediate results set. This intermediate results set may be partitioned into a plurality of groups. Thereafter, the groups may be sorted into a plurality of containers so that each container contains data sufficient to calculate one requested result in the multipart query. Related techniques, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products are also described. |
| US08073833B2 |
Method and system for gathering information resident on global computer networks
A method and system for confidentially accessing and reporting information present on global computer networks. The present invention deterministically analyzes a set of network resources over a configurable monitoring period, thereby guaranteeing that recently published information is retrieved. The present invention includes a scalable software system that can be readily executed on a stand-alone computing system or distributed across a network of computing devices. At the end of each monitoring period, the present invention balances the traversal and searching of network resources across the computing devices in the distributed system according to the previous number of pages retrieved for each network resources, thereby more accurately balancing the system. |
| US08073829B2 |
HTTP cache with URL rewriting
URL rewriting is a common technique for allowing users to interact with internet resources using easy to remember and search engine friendly URLs. When URL rewriting involves conditions derived for sources other than the URL, inconsistencies in HTTP kernel cache and HTTP user output cache may arise. Methods and a system for rewriting a URL while preserving cache integrity are disclosed herein. Conditions used by a rule set to rewrite a URL may be determined as cache friendly conditions or cache unfriendly conditions. If cache unfriendly conditions exist, the HTTP kernel cache is disabled and the HTTP user output cache is varied based upon a key. If no cache unfriendly conditions exist, then the HTTP kernel cache is not disabled and the HTTP user output cache is not varied. A rule set is applied to the URL and a URL rewrite is performed to create a rewritten URL. |
| US08073828B2 |
Licensed rights clearance and tracking for digital assets
Rights clearances management for assets, such as media assets. A rights brokerage service enables potential licensees to clears rights to use assets within designated projects, such as advertising campaign projects. The potential licensee uses an interface to select or identify an asset without necessarily accessing the asset itself. The rights holders and the rights held by each rights holder are identified based on the asset identity. A request is automatically issued to the rights holders to approve use of the asset for the project. The potential licensee may use an interface to track progress of approvals from the rights holders. Unenforceable rights are detected and approval is automatically obtained. If all enforceable rights are cleared, the asset may be committed for approval by a project manager or other authority. When approved, a license to use the asset is automatically created between the potential licensee and each of the rights holders. |
| US08073820B2 |
Method and system for a database to monitor and analyze performance of an electronic design
Various methods and apparatuses are described that provide instrumentation and analysis of an electronic design having one or more bus interconnects. A relational database may have defined tables designed for interconnect analysis of transactions occurring between initiator intellectual property (IP) cores and target IP cores of the electronic design. A query tool may be configured to format input data to be stored in the defined tables, and have application programming interfaces to retrieve data from the defined tables based on performing a query. The query tool executes an algorithm based on the query to provide the interconnect analysis. |
| US08073817B2 |
Method for generating an electronically storable digital map
A method for generating a digital map that can be stored on an electronic storage medium and in which a geographic area is described by a multitude of data sets includes the following steps: a) loading an original database (01), in which the geographic area is described by a multitude of data sets, into an electronic analyzer, wherein each data set describes an object of the map, wherein each data set consists of a defined number of attributes, and wherein each attribute may assume a defined number of different attribute values, b) detecting attribute value combinations or attribute value subcombinations that occur in the data sets of the database, c) assigning a distinct combination characteristic to each attribute value combination or attribute value subcombination, d) storing the attribute value combinations or attribute value subcombinations detected in the database with the respectively assigned combination characteristics as a first partial database (02) of the digital map, e) analyzing all data sets of the original database (01), wherein a new data set is generated for each data set by replacing the attribute value combinations or attribute value subcombinations that exist in each data set with the combination characteristic assigned to the attribute value combinations or attribute value subcombinations, and f) storing the new data sets in a second partial database (03) of the digital map. |
| US08073812B2 |
Preserving user intention in distributed data systems
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for preserving user intention in distributed data systems. Embodiments of the invention preserve user intention when different copies of the same data are independently edited at different locations. User intent can be preserved without centralized locking or other coordination. Thus, modifications to each copy of the date are appropriately reflected in all other copies of the data such that all copies end up in essentially the same state. Embodiments of the invention can be used in collaborative editing and data replication systems. |
| US08073811B2 |
Online content collaboration model
A collaborative editing model for online content is described. A set of suggested edits to a version of the online content is received from multiple users. Each suggested edit in the set relates to the same version. The set of suggested edits is provided to an authorized editor, who is visually notified of differences between the version of the content and the suggested edits and conflicts existing between two or more suggested edits. Input is received from the editor resolving conflicts and accepting or rejecting suggested edits in the set. The first version of the content is modified accordingly to generate a second version of the content. Suggested edits from the set that were not accepted nor rejected and are not in conflict with the second version are carried over and can remain pending with respect to the second version. |
| US08073809B2 |
Graphical model for data validation
Data may be received from the source and based on training; a confidence level may be determined that a specific element in the data is correctly assigned to a master category given that the source assigned the data to one of the plurality of assigned source categories. If the confidence level meets a threshold, the element may be stored in the assigned master category and if the confidence level does not meet a threshold, the element may be stored for reassignment. |
| US08073808B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatic image recognition
A method of improving the accuracy and computation time of automatic image recognition by the implementation of association graphs and a quantum processor. |
| US08073806B2 |
Message log analysis for system behavior evaluation
A technique is disclosed that enables the run-time behavior of a data-processing system to be analyzed and, in many cases, to be predicted. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises i) transforming the messages that constitute an unstructured log into a numerical series and ii) applying a time-series analysis on the resultant series for the purpose of pattern detection. Indeed, it is recognized in the illustrative embodiment that the problem really is to detect patterns that depict aspects of system behavior, regardless of the textual content of the individual log messages. In other words, by analyzing the totality of the messages in the log or logs—as opposed to looking for pre-defined patterns of the individual messages—system behavior can be mapped and understood. The mapping helps in characterizing the system for the purposes of predicting failure, determining the time required to reach stability during failure recovery, and so forth. |
| US08073804B1 |
System and method for type 2 KASER (Knowledge Amplification by Structured Expert Randomization)
A KASER (Knowledge Amplification by Structured Expert Randomization) engine reaches conclusions in a semantic format or which take the form of a series of rules. The conclusions are parsed into an array structure having a hierarchical order of validity. A set of inserted rules is received as an initial rules array and are configured so that an antecedent comprises a non-empty, sorted set and a consequent comprises a non-empty sequence. A hierarchy of validity for the rules is determined and the rules are sorted according to the hierarchy. At least one rule set which optimizes the selection of rules is determined, with the rule set meeting predetermined validity requirements, and the rules are ordered in an order of validity, such as an order based on a maximal length antecedent set as a highest rank. |
| US08073802B2 |
Rules base systems and methods with circumstance translation
The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of finding a rule in a rules base that includes a plurality of rule entries, each having a rule and an associated objective and one or more associated circumstances. A rule finder accesses the rules base in response to a request, with a specified objective and with specified circumstances, by searching the rules base for a matching entry. Where the search fails, the rule finder searches one or more translation tables for entries having first circumstances matching those specified in the request that resulted in the failure. If found, the rule finder repeats the search of the rules base with the specified objective and with a second (or “map-to”) circumstances from matching entries in the translation tables. The rule finder can return, e.g., to an application program that issued the request, a rule found during that repeat search of the rules base. |
| US08073801B1 |
Business decision modeling and management system and method
A business decision modeling system graphically models business decisions using a rule family structure that adheres to Decision Model principles. In tabular representations, for example, two-dimensional rule families have a heading and a body. The heading includes one or more condition fact types and one conclusion fact type. The body includes unique logic statements corresponding with the heading's fact types, with operators and operands indicating how the logic operates on conditions to determine conclusions. All tested conditions fact types must be true for the conclusion fact type to be true. No two rule families can have the same conclusion fact type, and the conclusion fact type of a first rule family can be a condition fact type of a second rule family. Logic statements are atomic and cannot be further decomposed. The semantic and business integrity of the business rules ensure high quality logic traceable to business objectives. |
| US08073792B2 |
System and method for content development
This invention relates to a system and methods for developing content. In general, in one aspect, a method for developing content includes electronically distributing a specification for content to a distributed community of content developers, receiving submissions from each of a subset of the community of content developers in response to the distributed specification, holding a first vote in which a group of voters rank a first number of submissions and identify the order in which they predict the submissions will be ranked by others, selecting the highest scoring submissions in the first vote, holding a second vote to evaluate the submissions that receive the highest score in the first vote; and selecting a winner based on the second vote. |
| US08073791B2 |
Vertical curve system for surface grading
A method is disclosed that generates design profiles and a surface therefrom that promote water drainage from soil in an area of interest. Topographical data describing an initial surface of the area of interest are used to form initial profiles. The method generates the design profiles using the initial profiles and desired design parameters such as minimum slope, maximum slope, optimal slope, maximum depth, optimal depth, starting elevation, ending elevation, rules of curvature, and rules of earth balancing. The method generates design surface profiles so that the cut volumes and fill volumes of the soil are at or near balance as much as possible from the available soil in the area of interest. |
| US08073787B2 |
System and method for mail verification
A system and method is provided for transmitting mail verification data over a wide area network, such as the Internet, in response to receiving and authenticating at least a portion of mail identification (ID) data. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mail verification application is adapted to store at least a verifying portion (e.g., an identifiable code portion, a shipping portion, a recipient portion, etc.) of mail ID data in memory. The mail ID data is then affixed to a mail object. The mail object is then manually delivered to a recipient. At least an authenticating portion of the mail ID data is then provided to a reception device. The reception device, which communicates with the mail ID device over a wide area network, transmits at least the authenticating portion of the mail ID data to the mail verification application operating on the mail ID device. The mail verification application then compares the authenticating portion of the mail ID data with the verifying portion stored in memory. If the authenticating portion of the mail ID data is authenticated, mail verification data is sent to the reception device. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the mail verification data includes authenticating data, securing data, sender data, recipient data, mail-content data, downloadable-product data, sender-web-page data, and/or third-party-web-page data. |
| US08073785B1 |
Method and system for detecting fraud in non-personal transactions
A method and system us disclosed for detecting fraud is non-personal transactions. The method and system comprise transmitting the purchaser's data, includes a ship-to address for the transaction, to a fraud-detection system; processing the purchaser's data to determine whether the transaction is potentially fraudulent; and returning the relative risks of fraudulent activity associated with the transaction. The method and system may include any of the following additional steps: checking to determine whether the purchaser's ship-to address exists, checking the purchaser's ship-to address against an historical database to determine whether a prior history of fraud exists, checking the purchaser's ship-to address against an historical database to determine whether a pattern of fraudulent activity exists for the ship-to address; and checking the purchaser's ship-to address against a modeling engine to determine whether elements exist in the demographic data which correlate with fraudulent trends. In addition, a score may be calculated based at least in part upon the likelihood that the transaction is fraudulent. |
| US08073783B2 |
Performing a business transaction without disclosing sensitive identity information to a relying party
A user engages in a transaction with a relying party. The relying party requests identity information from the user in a security policy and identifies transaction elements for an on-line business transaction. Typically, the security policy and transaction elements are transmitted together; the security policy can be as little as a request to conduct the on-line business transaction. The user identifies an information card that satisfies the security policy. The computer system requests a security token from the identity provider managing the information card, which can include requesting a transaction receipt for the transaction elements. The computer system then returns the security token (and the transaction receipt) to the relying party, to complete the transaction. |
| US08073780B2 |
Token based club digital content licensing method
A predetermined number of license units for each of a plurality of individually selectable pieces of digital content in a digital content suite are checked out when each piece of digital content is executed by a customer in a customer club. Execution of a requested digital content is granted when the number of license units to execute the requested digital content is less than or equal to the total number of available units for the club. Access is granted for execution of the requested digital content by a license manager based on whether the required units of the requested digital content are greater than the available units on the requesting customer computer network. If the requested digital content cannot be executed immediately, the required units can be locked up and charged to the customer club available units or left uncharged. |
| US08073778B2 |
Scalable distributed transaction manager for multi-host transactions
Transactions such as sales and exchanges of resources are managed in a virtual environment. A transaction manager receives a request for a transaction which involves multiple entities in the virtual environment. The request identifies the entities, as well as resources, such as objects and virtual currency, to be exchanged among the entities in the transaction. The request is first validated. Next, the resources which are to be contributed by the entities are gathered. An object is gathered from a first entity by updating a database record to render the object inaccessible. A new database record associates the object with a second entity, and renders the object inaccessible. A reserve can be imposed on a virtual currency account. The resources are then delivered to the entities, e.g., by updating the new database record to render the object accessible to the second entity. If the gathering fails, an undo phase is entered. |
| US08073776B2 |
Method and apparatus for a no pre-set spending limit transaction card
A method and apparatus are provided for a no pre-set spending limit transaction card with features and attributes of both a credit card and a charge card, including an overlimit spend feature and an associated communicated line of credit. The transaction card may carry a balance like a credit card and may require that a card user pay down the balance carried forward to the line of credit subsequent to the end of each billing cycle. When the user has reached or exceeded the communicated line of credit, each subsequent transaction request for a new transaction by the user is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a process that includes execution an overlimit spend authorization logic or process. |
| US08073775B1 |
Method and system for using an electronic check system
In general, the invention relates to a method for transferring funds. The method includes receiving a request to initiate a secure fund transfer, where the request specifies a sender, a recipient, and an amount of funds to transfer from the sender to the recipient. The method further includes sending a request to verify that an account associated with the sender comprises at least the amount of funds to be transferred, receiving notification that the account comprises at least the amount of funds to be transferred, requesting a reservation of funds in the account corresponding to the amount of funds to be transferred, receiving notification of the reservation, notifying the recipient that the amount of funds to be transferred is reserved, initiating a transfer of funds, to the recipient, in the amount of the reserved funds, and receiving acknowledgment that the transfer of the funds is complete. |
| US08073774B2 |
Billing system and method for micro-transactions
Billing a customer through an intermediary billing system for a transaction by receiving, at the intermediary billing system, a transaction request associated with a transaction amount and a customer identification code, validating, in the intermediary billing system, the transaction request by determining whether the customer identification code corresponds to a customer that is registered with the intermediary billing system, and sending, in the case that the transaction request is valid, a billing event trigger associated with the customer identification code to an external billing mechanism, the billing event trigger representing the transaction amount. |
| US08073769B2 |
Methods and systems for payment transactions in a mobile environment
Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions in a mobile environment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA) that communicates with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user and transaction information. The MFTS receives information on behalf of a mobile device user corresponding to bills to pay or other payments to make. The MFTS also receives information corresponding to payment sources available for use in making payments. Selected payments information and payment source information are communicated to the mobile user via a wireless network and displayed for user selection. The user selects a payment to make and a payment source. A mobile payment instruction is generated and communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS instructs a payment instruction recipient to make a payment to an identified payee. Real-time updated account and payment balances are provided to the user's mobile device. |
| US08073765B2 |
Computer-based right distribution system with password protection
An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed. |
| US08073761B2 |
Trading and investment calculator
The specification discloses a handheld computing device or portable electronic calculator that comprises a software application adapted to provide instructions to perform math operations to calculate trading and investment variables and display these variables resulting from the math operation(s) on the display screen simultaneously along with descriptive acronyms. The software application may be further adapted to provide instructions that allows a user to input trading and investment variables including trading price/or trading premium and then incrementing trading price/or premium by decimal or fraction with up and down arrow key(s) or “speed key(s)” on the input device concurrently while viewing the trading price/or premium and calculated order size/or number of contract(s) changes on the display screen. The handheld computing device or portable electronic calculator determines variables that are used during active trading and investment (e.g.'s calculate gain/loss (dollars & percent), gross/net profit (dollars & percent), return rate, yield, cash flow, income, costs/fees, dividends, dividend reinvested income, reinvestment percent, average quarterly dividends, taxes, before/after taxes, before/after costs and fees, share volume, term, margin, short & long-term capital gains/losses, cost per share, basis per share, adjusted basis, total basis, buy & sell price, cash amounts, breakeven price, total cost, order sizes by price, number of contracts by premium, leverage ratios, liquidity ratio, operations ratios, profitability ratios.) |
| US08073760B2 |
Device, system and method of automatic financial-instrument management
Devices, systems, and methods of automatic Financial-Instrument (FI) management. In some embodiments, a system includes, a memory having stored thereon financial-instrument-based (FI-based) management instructions; and a processor to execute the FI-based management instructions resulting in a FI-based management application, wherein the FI-based management application may receive portfolio data corresponding to a plurality of financial-instrument portfolios associated with a plurality of clients, wherein the FI-based management application may automatically identify one or more portfolios of the plurality of portfolios satisfying at least one criterion, wherein, for each identified portfolio, the FI-based management application may receive client-specific management data corresponding to a client associated with the identified portfolio, wherein the client-specific management data includes at least client-specific destination information defining at least one destination, and wherein, for each identified portfolio, the FI-based management application may automatically communicate portfolio-related data corresponding to the identified portfolio to the destination defined by the management data. |
| US08073759B1 |
Method and system for predictive event budgeting based on financial data from similarly situated consumers
Financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained from one or more sources. The financial data obtained from the one or more contributing consumers is then aggregated, analyzed, and/or categorized, according to one or more events causing the changes and one or more criteria/parameters associated with the financial transaction data and/or the contributing consumer. The aggregated and/or categorized data representing the event related changes in the financial data is then stored. A “user consumer” then initiates a request for predictive event cost data associated with one or more specified events and the aggregated and/or categorized data representing the event related changes in the financial data is searched based. Results data representing the changes in the financial data for one or more similarly situated contributing consumers associated the specified event is then obtained and presented to the user consumer. |
| US08073757B2 |
Data processing for an exchange traded fund
An accounting system allows posting transactions to a general ledger of an Exchange Traded Fund. The accounting system includes a computer-assisted process that nets subscription and redemption orders that occurred over a particular time (e.g., one day) and records a transfer of securities into or out of the fund based on the net of the subscription and redemption orders. |
| US08073755B2 |
Method for online account opening
The present disclosure describes novel methods that can be utilized to choose, set up, open, and/or manage an online account at a financial institution. The present disclosure addresses prior art problems of online account opening by describing methods for automating key aspects of the account opening process for customers such as tailoring the presentation of information to the online customer based at least in part on the customer's input, performing suitability checks for the customer based on online products chosen by the customer, presenting cross-sell products to the customer based on information known by the financial institution or currently received from the customer, and allowing a pending customer to complete the online application procedure in the absence of a confirmed identification of the online customer. |
| US08073754B2 |
System and method for asymmetric offsets in a risk management system
A system and method for using asymmetrical offsets for products in a risk management analysis system are disclosed. Conventional systems assign symmetrical offsets for products, that is, if two products have an 80% correlation they each would be assigned an offset of 80% with respect to each other. However, it is desirable to allow for asymmetrical offsets. In the disclosed system and method, when two products have a correlation of 80%, one may be assigned an offset of 75% and the other may be assigned an offset of 80%. There are many reasons to vary the offset between the products. The varying offset may reflect an asymmetry in the risk in one of the products, such as being traded in an illiquid market or in a less desirable venue. The varying offset may correct for an imbalance in spread credits due to special charges from intra spreading. |
| US08073752B2 |
Using commercial share of wallet to rate business prospects
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Research analysts can use CSoW/CSoSW to provide a comprehensive and robust indication of the business prospects of a rated company. |
| US08073750B2 |
Computer support for multi-jurisdictional investment
Machine and related manufacturer controlling multi-jurisdictional investment; a computer system arranged to receive information and locate said information into a memory, the information including investment specifications and pricing data for the financial product, the computer system further including: an input device for receiving the information and converting the information into signals; a program control to compute, from said signals, for calculating respective valuations of parts of investment in respective jurisdictions and a program control to trigger printing documentation, including said valuations, to carry out the implementation of the parts in the respective jurisdictions. In variations thereof, such as optimizing, separating, valuation, and execution are supported. |
| US08073748B2 |
Inventory management method and program product
A management server for managing inventory of articles and a terminal device for inquiring the condition of inventory are provided. The management server is provided with an inventory database and a database control portion for controlling input and output of data to and from the inventory database. The inventory database stores, as management information, information identifying articles and salespersons responsible for the articles as well as, for articles specified to be included in open inventory, information indicating that persons other than the salespersons responsible for the articles are permitted to sell the particular article. Furthermore, the management server accepts access by particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in ordinary inventory and also accepts access by users other than the particular users from the terminal device to the management information on the articles included in open inventory. |
| US08073744B1 |
Method to provide liquid funds in the online auction and marketplace
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a lending system for use with electronic commerce web sites such as auction sites. A seller may receive a cash loan for items placed for sale but not yet purchased by a buyer. The seller can be required to pay back the loan after a predetermined amount of time or as soon as the item for sale is sold and payment is received from the buyer. The lender would charge interest or commission for the loan. In this manner, sellers can receive cash for items listed on auction sites before those items are actually sold, generating additional cash flow for the seller. |
| US08073739B2 |
Method and system to deliver a digital good
A system to deliver a digital good from a seller to a buyer is disclosed. The system includes an interface to receive a digital goods package from the seller, the digital goods package including the digital good and a buyer identifier. A digital goods database is provided to store the digital goods package, with an identifier extractor being provided to extract the buyer identifier from the digital goods package. The system further includes a notifier to notify the buyer, based on the buyer identifier, that the digital good has been received from the seller and is ready to be collected by the buyer, wherein, after having sent the notification that the digital good is ready to be collected, the system allows the buyer to access and retrieve the digital good. |
| US08073738B2 |
System and method for brokering the sale of internet advertisement inventory as discrete traffic blocks of segmented internet traffic
An auction management system brokers, between a seller and a buyer, a discrete traffic block of an ad placement. The auction management system comprises a traffic block definition tool providing workflows for obtaining traffic block parameters defining the discrete traffic block, the traffic block parameters comprising: i) an identification of the ad placement; ii) a volume parameter defining the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block; iii) at least one duration parameter defining an active time period during which the volume of traffic included in the discrete traffic block will be provided; and iv) an auction parameter defining an expiration time before which buyers submit offers to purchase the discrete traffic block. A listing search tool provides web pages displaying a listing of a plurality of listed discrete traffic blocks. Each listed discrete traffic block comprises a discrete traffic block with an expiration time that has not yet passed. The listing includes, for each listed discrete traffic block, the traffic block parameters associated therewith. An auction management tool provides for: i) obtaining a buyer compensation parameter from each of a plurality of buyers bidding for purchase of the discrete traffic block; and ii) designating the buyer that that provided a compensation parameter meeting selection criteria as the winning buyer. An order management system directs placement of buyer advertisement content designated by the winning bidder within the ad placement for the volume of traffic defined by the volume parameter and during the time period defined by the at least one duration parameter. |
| US08073731B1 |
Method and system for improving efficiency in an organization using process mining
Systems and methods are provided for improving processes in a healthcare organization by mining historical data for information that can be used to more effectively allocate resources and process components. Factors used for the analysis include time, information, motivation, skills, and authority for particular resources. Arbitrage processing is used to minimize opportunity costs and increase efficiency. |
| US08073730B2 |
Modeling and forecasting service performance
A method for modeling a financial risk in a service level agreement (SLA) between a service provider and a customer for the service provider to provide one or more services to the customer is provided. The method includes forecasting a service performance of the service provider for at least one performance metric of the SLA, modeling at least one scenario for the SLA based on one or more negotiated terms between the service provider and the customer as found in the SLA, and applying the forecasted service performance of the service provider against the at least one modeled SLA scenario to calculate a financial risk of the service provider with regard to the at least one modeled SLA scenario. |
| US08073719B2 |
System and method for core identity with personas across multiple domains with permissions on profile data based on rights of domain
A method for core identity with personas across multiple domains with permissions on profile data based on rights of domain, is described. In one embodiment, the method is to be implemented on a system. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving travel selections for a first leg of an itinerary; receiving a selection of a first profile to be assigned for the travel selections of the first leg, the first profile to be selected from a group of profiles corresponding to a user; receiving travel selections for a second leg of the itinerary; receiving a selection of a second profile to be assigned for the travel selections of the second leg, the second profile to be selected from the group of profiles corresponding to the user; automatically determining whether to replace the first profile for the first leg of the itinerary with a selection of a separate profile from the group of profiles, the determination made based on a predetermined criteria; and billing for the first and second legs of the itinerary as a single multi-leg travel itinerary, and billing the first leg of the itinerary to a profile assigned for the first leg and billing the second leg of the itinerary to a profile assigned for the second leg. |
| US08073713B2 |
Method and system for managing medical professionals
A system and method for improving medical care through tracking reported findings or diagnoses of patient medical conditions and feeding back actual medical conditions and patient medical condition outcomes to determine accuracy of the reported findings. By feeding back the actual medical conditions and patient medical condition outcomes, a quantitative measure of each reported finding of each medical professional can be determined. One medical professional expertise in which the feedback system can be particularly useful is with medical image reading professionals, as this medical professional expertise provides a basis for other medical professionals to determine treatment and/or additional testing options. |
| US08073702B2 |
Apparatus for encoding and decoding audio signal and method thereof
A method and/or apparatus for encoding and/or decoding an audio signal is disclosed, in which a downmix gain is applied to a downmix signal in an encoding apparatus which, in turn, transmits, to a decoding apparatus, a bitstream containing information as to the applied downmix gain. The decoding apparatus recovers the downmix signal, using the downmix gain information. A method and/or apparatus for encoding and/or decoding an audio signal is also disclosed, in which the encoding apparatus can apply an arbitrary downmix gain (ADG) to the downmix signal, and can transmit a bitstream containing information as to the applied ADG to the decoding apparatus. The decoding apparatus recovers the downmix signal, using the ADG information. A method and/or apparatus for encoding and/or decoding an audio signal is also disclosed, in which the method and/or apparatus can also vary the energy level of a specific channel, and can recover the varied energy level. |
| US08073701B2 |
Method and apparatus for identity verification using visual representation of a spoken word
The present disclosure relates to identity verification devices and methods. A system is provided that utilizes a system of tonal and rhythmic visualization of a spoken word to accurately identify the true owner of a credit or other personal card based on their voice. |
| US08073699B2 |
Numeric weighting of error recovery prompts for transfer to a human agent from an automated speech response system
A method for a speech response system to automatically transfer users to human agents. The method can establish an interactive dialog session between a user and an automated speech response system. An error score can be established when the interactive dialog session is initiated. During the interactive dialog session, responses to dialog prompts can be received. Error weights can be assigned to receive responses determined to be non-valid responses. Different non-valid responses can be assigned different error weights. For each non-valid response, the assigned error weight can be added to the error score. When a value of the error score exceeds a previously established error threshold, a user can be automatically transferred from the automated speech response system to a human agent. |
| US08073698B2 |
Enabling global grammars for a particular multimodal application
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are described for enabling global grammars for a particular multimodal application according to the present invention by loading a multimodal web page; determining whether the loaded multimodal web page is one of a plurality of multimodal web pages of the particular multimodal application. If the loaded multimodal web page is one of the plurality of multimodal web pages of the particular multimodal application, enabling global grammars typically includes loading any currently unloaded global grammars of the particular multimodal application identified in the multimodal web page and maintaining any previously loaded global grammars. If the loaded multimodal web page is not one of the plurality of multimodal web pages of the particular multimodal application, enabling global grammars typically includes unloading any currently loaded global grammars. |
| US08073694B2 |
System and method for testing a TTS voice
Disclosed are various elements of a toolkit used for generating a TTS voice for use in a spoken dialog system. The invention in each case may be in the form of the system, a computer-readable medium or a method for generating the TTS voice. An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for preparing a text-to-speech (TTS) voice for testing and verification. The method comprises processing a TTS voice to be ready for testing, synthesizing words utilizing the TTS voice, presenting to a person a smallest possible subset that contains at least N instances of a group of units in the TTS voice, receiving information from the person associated with corrections needed to the TTS voice and making corrections to the TTS voice according to the received information. |
| US08073692B2 |
Enabling speech recognition grammars in web page frames
Enabling grammars in web page frames, including receiving, in a multimodal application on a multimodal device, a frameset document, where the frameset document includes markup defining web page frames; obtaining by the multimodal application content documents for display in each of the web page frames, where the content documents include navigable markup elements; generating by the multimodal application, for each navigable markup element in each content document, a segment of markup defining a speech recognition grammar, including inserting in each such grammar markup identifying content to be displayed when words in the grammar are matched and markup identifying a frame where the content is to be displayed; and enabling by the multimodal application all the generated grammars for speech recognition. |
| US08073691B2 |
Method and system for screening using voice data and metadata
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method, comprising: (a) maintaining a database of known fraudsters, wherein each fraudster has a voice signature and metadata associated therewith; (b) performing a screening operation to match a candidate with a fraudster in the database based on matching a voice signature and metadata for the candidate with a voice signature and metadata for the fraudster in the database. |
| US08073688B2 |
Voice processing apparatus and program
Envelope identification section generates input envelope data (DEVin) indicative of a spectral envelope (EVin) of an input voice. Template acquisition section reads out, from a storage section, converting spectrum data (DSPt) indicative of a frequency spectrum (SPt) of a converting voice. On the basis of the input envelope data (DEVin) and the converting spectrum data (DSPt), a data generation section specifies a frequency spectrum (SPnew) corresponding in shape to the frequency spectrum (SPt) of the converting voice and having a substantially same spectral envelope as the spectral envelope (EVin) of the input voice, and the data generation section generates new spectrum data (DSPnew) indicative of the frequency spectrum (SPnew). Reverse FFT section and output processing section generates an output voice signal (Snew) on the basis of the new spectrum data (DSPnew). |
| US08073684B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic classification/identification of similar compressed audio files
An audio file is divided into frames in the time domain and each frame is compressed, according to a psycho-acoustic algorithm, into file in the frequency domain. Each frame is divided into sub-bands and each sub-band is further divided into split sub-bands. The spectral energy over each split sub-band is averaged for all frames. The resulting quantity for each split sub-band provides a parameter. The set of parameters can be compared to a corresponding set of parameters generated from a different audio file to determine whether the audio files are similar. In order to provide for the higher sensitivity of the auditory response, the comparison of individual split sub-bands of the lower order sub-bands can be performed. Selected constants can be used in the comparison process to improve further the sensitivity of the comparison. In the side-information generated by the psycho-acoustic compression, data related to the rhythm, i.e., related percussive effects, is present. The data known as attack flags can also be used as part of the audio frame comparison. |
| US08073682B2 |
System and method for prospecting digital information
A system and method for prospecting digital information is provided. A home evergreen index for a home subject area within a corpus of digital information is maintained and includes topic models matched to the corpus. A frontier evergreen index for a frontier subject area within the corpus topically distinct from the home subject area is identified. Quality assessments for frontier articles from the corpus identified by the topic models of the frontier evergreen index are obtained. The frontier articles with positive quality assessments are reclassified against the topic models in the home evergreen index. The frontier articles are provided in a display with home articles previously classified against the topic models in the home evergreen index. |
| US08073681B2 |
System and method for a cooperative conversational voice user interface
A cooperative conversational voice user interface is provided. The cooperative conversational voice user interface may build upon short-term and long-term shared knowledge to generate one or more explicit and/or implicit hypotheses about an intent of a user utterance. The hypotheses may be ranked based on varying degrees of certainty, and an adaptive response may be generated for the user. Responses may be worded based on the degrees of certainty and to frame an appropriate domain for a subsequent utterance. In one implementation, misrecognitions may be tolerated, and conversational course may be corrected based on subsequent utterances and/or responses. |
| US08073679B2 |
Aligning hierarchial and sequential document trees to identify parallel data
A set of candidate parallel pages is identified based on trigger words in one or more pages downloaded from a given network location (such as a website). A set of document trees representing each of the candidate pages are aligned to identify translationally parallel content and hyperlinks. The parallel content is further fed into conventional sentence aligner for parallel sentences. And the parallel hyperlinks usually refer to other parallel documents, and lead to a recursive mining of parallel documents. |
| US08073676B2 |
Method and apparatus for emulation enhancement
An emulation enhancement method in a first video game platform for enhancing execution of video games written for a second video game platform includes receiving an input signal written for the second video game platform, analyzing the input signal written for the second video game platform, intercepting a control signal from the input signal based on a set criteria, enhancing the control signal to generate an enhanced control signal for the first video game platform, and outputting the enhanced control signal. The control signal carries an audio effect component, a video effect component and a haptic effect component that are outputted on a user output display. Enhancing the control signal augments the audio effect component and the video effect component of the control signal and generates the enhanced control signal that utilizes additional platform capabilities on the first video game platform. |
| US08073673B2 |
Emulated memory management
A first software program executing on a computing device emulates a second computing device executing a software program using emulated memory. The first software program permits the second software program to perform an operation on a contiguous portion of the emulated memory only when a pointer and a table entry both contain the same identifier, thus protecting against common types of memory usage errors in the second software program. The pointer has an address to the contiguous portion. The table entry maps to the contiguous portion. A plurality of table entries map to a respective plurality of contiguous portion of the emulated memory. A plurality of the pointers each contain the address to a respective contiguous portion of the emulated memory as well as containing an identifier corresponding to the respective contiguous portion of the emulated memory. The second computing device can be high or low in resources. |
| US08073668B2 |
Method and apparatus for testing a full system integrated circuit design by statistical fault injection using hardware-based simulation
A test system tests a full system integrated circuit (IC) model that includes a device under test (DUT) IC model and a support IC model. A test manager information handling system (IHS) maps the full system IC model on a hardware accelerator simulator via an interface bus. The hardware accelerator simulator thus emulates the full system IC model. Of all possible fault injection points in the model, the test manager IHS selects a subset of those injection points for fault injection via a statistical sampling method in one embodiment. In response to commands from the test manager IHS, the simulator serially injects faults into the selected fault injection points. The test manager IHS stores results for respective fault injections at the selected injection points. If a machine checkstop or silent data corruption error occurs as a result of an injected fault, the DUT IC model may return to a stored checkpoint and resume operation from the stored checkpoint. The result information is useful in determining a soft error rate (SER) for the DUT IC. |
| US08073665B2 |
Analyzing an oilfield network for oilfield production
A method for analyzing an oilfield network. The method includes collecting oilfield data from an oilfield network, modeling a first wellsite and a second wellsite using the oilfield data to create a first production model of the first wellsite and a second production model of the second wellsite. The method further includes modeling a sub-network of the oilfield network to create a third production model of the sub-network. The modeling of the sub-network includes identifying a junction of branches associated with the first wellsite and the second wellsite. A fourth production model is created for the junction by combining the first production model with the second production model. The production model of the sub-network is created using the fourth production model of the junction. The method further includes solving the oilfield network based on the third production model to create a production result, and storing the production result. |
| US08073663B2 |
Method and system for modelling petroleum migration
A method for modelling the migration of reactant in a subsurface petroleum system is described. The method comprises in part generating a mesh for an area of the petroleum system. The mesh comprises a plurality of nodes, with each node representing a point in space in the area. The method also comprises calculating one or more variables representing one or more physical characteristics at each node in the area and determining the migration of reactant in the petroleum system based on the one or more variables. The method can also handle multiple reactant phases and non-static meshes. |
| US08073662B2 |
Design support method, design support system, and design support program for heat convection field
A highly convenient design support method and design support system for a heat convection field or a mass diffusion field which significantly reduce the number of times of numerical simulation required to examine the designing parameters for achieving the design purpose. The design support method includes a forward analysis step of analyzing the heat convection field or the mass diffusion field by solving an equation of the heat convection field or the mass diffusion field based on an initially set value of a designing parameter, an inverse analysis step of analyzing a sensitivity defined by a change ratio of the design purpose to a designing parameter change by solving an adjoint equation corresponding to the design purpose based on the set design purpose, and a sensitivity display step of displaying information on the sensitivity analyzed by inverse analysis step as a graphic image on the display device. |
| US08073658B2 |
Monte Carlo simulation using GPU units on personal computers
A method of performing a Monte Carlo analysis uses a graphical processor unit of a computer system, individual data sets to be analyzed are allocated to respective pixel locations in a graphical processor unit memory for Monte Carlo simulation and the outcome of the Monte Carlo simulation is calculated for each data set using stream processing in the graphical processor unit. |
| US08073657B2 |
3-D casino gaming floor visualization utilizing real-time and batch data
An integrated computing device (tool) and method for creating a floor layout, analyzing the layout from the simulated point of view of a patron within the floor, and assessing the performance of a layout in real time or with historical data. |
| US08073656B2 |
High bandwidth oscilloscope for digitizing an analog signal having a bandwidth greater than the bandwidth of digitizing components of the oscilloscope
A method for improving bandwidth of an oscilloscope involves, in preferred embodiments, the use of frequency up-conversion and down-conversion techniques. In an illustrative embodiment the technique involves separating an input signal into a high frequency content and a low frequency content, down-converting the high frequency content in the analog domain so that it may be processed by the oscilloscope's analog front end, digitizing the low frequency content and the down-converted high frequency content, and forming a digital representation of the received analog signal from the digitized low frequency content and high frequency content. |
| US08073653B2 |
Component life indicator
A life indicator for a component of a machine is disclosed. The life indicator includes at least one sensor operably associated with the machine and configured to sense a property associated with the machine. The sensor is configured to output the sensed property as a data signal. The life indicator also includes a memory element having a first data structure that determines a damage factor for the component of the machine based at least in part on the data signal received from the at least one sensor. A processor executes the first data structure to determine the damage factor. |
| US08073648B2 |
Measuring threshold voltage distribution in memory using an aggregate characteristic
A threshold voltage distribution of a set of storage elements in a memory device is measured by sweeping a control gate voltage while measuring a characteristic of the set of storage elements as a whole. The characteristic indicates how many of the storage elements meet a given condition, such as being in a conductive state. For example, the characteristic may be a combined current, voltage or capacitance of the set which is measured at a common source of the set. The control gate voltage can be generated internally within a memory die. Similarly, the threshold voltage distribution can be determined internally within the memory die. Optionally, storage elements which become conductive can be locked out, such as by changing a bit line voltage, so they no longer contribute to the characteristic. New read reference voltages are determined based on the threshold voltage distribution to reduce errors in future read operations. |
| US08073643B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device which includes a power switch connecting an internal power supply in which power is not shut down and an internal power supply in which power is shut down, and an internal voltage determining circuit for determining the voltage of the internal power supply in which power is shut down. When the power of the internal power supply is interrupted, the power switch is turned off, the regulator circuit is turned off, and an output of the regulator circuit is shorted to a ground potential. When the power of the internal power supply is resumed, the regulator circuit is turned on, shorting is cancelled, the increased voltage of the internal power supply is determined by the internal voltage determining circuit, operation of a circuit block is started, and the switch is turned on. |
| US08073640B2 |
Controlled compressional wave components of thickness shear mode multi-measurand sensors
The current invention relates to a conductivity-dielectric (CD) electrode design with apertures that allow compressional waves to propagate away from the surface of the acoustic wave device unimpeded. This prevents reflection of compressional waves that would interact with the viscosity sensor surface, thus altering the device response. It allows compressional waves to pass through, and allows the dual mode viscosity sensor responses to be utilized for density/viscosity/elasticity measurement and correlation. The invention further offers methods of instrumentation to detect unwanted reflections, to compensate, and to correct for the distortions caused by reflections. Finally, the invention provides a system and method for utilizing deliberately introduced reflections to obtain additional information, including fluid density. |
| US08073633B2 |
Computational methods and systems for suggesting modulators of CYP450 as treatment options
Computational methods and systems are described which accept input, identify one or more CYP450-family enzymes, identify one or more modulators of the CYP450-family enzymes, and communicate treatments to at least one system user, wherein the treatments include one or more of the identified at least one modulator. |
| US08073632B2 |
Computational methods and systems for treatment in relation to modulation of CYP450 enzyme activity
Methods and systems such as those described herein include accepting input, identifying CYP450-family enzymes, identifying at least one modulator of an enzyme, and communicating one or more treatments to a system user. |
| US08073629B2 |
Simulation system of function of biological organ
A simulation system for simulating a function of a biological organ using a biological model in which the function of the biological organ are represented by a mathematical model with a computer is provided. The present system receives input of time-series actual measurement data representing the biological response of a subject, estimates the biological response of the subject at a time point at which the measurement is not performed by using the input time-series actual measurement data, and generates time-series reference data representing the biological response of the subject. The present system further generates a virtual biological organ virtually constructed in a computer system using the times-series reference data. The virtual biological organ corresponds to the function of a biological organ of the subject. |
| US08073628B2 |
System for obfuscating identity
Compositions, apparatus, systems, kits, and methods for obfuscating the nucleic acid and/or protein content of an environment. |
| US08073624B2 |
Technique and system to process a seismic signal to determine an attribute of a geological layer
A technique includes receiving seismic data indicative of a signal, which is produced by the interaction of reflection interfaces with a source wavelet. The reflection interfaces are associated with boundaries of a geological layer. The technique includes processing the seismic data to determine at least one slope change in the source wavelet caused by the interaction. The technique includes determining an attribute of the layer based at least in part on the determined slope change(s). |
| US08073622B2 |
Long-range lightning detection and characterization system and method
A long-range lightning detection and characterization system and method. Electromagnetic radiation produced by a lightning strike is sensed at a sensing location and a measured signal representative of the strike is produced that defines an amplitude versus time. A set of reference data containing waveforms comparable to the measured signal is established. The set of reference data defines a set of reference amplitudes versus time, representative of one or more predetermined reference lightning strikes at various predetermined distances, where for each of the distances, the reference lightning strikes have associated therewith various predetermined day/night percentages. The measured signal is compared with the reference data, the comparison including finding a correlation between the measured signal and a correlating waveform in the reference data. At least one of a propagation distance, a time-of-arrival, a polarity, and an amplitude of the measured signal is inferred by reference to the correlating waveform. |
| US08073618B2 |
Driving support apparatus and method
A driving support apparatus supports a driver in driving a vehicle on a road by giving instructions. The driving support apparatus includes a recognizing unit that recognizes a current driving lane that is a lane on the road in which the vehicle is currently running; a lane setting unit that sets a driving schedule lane that is a lane in which the vehicle is to be driven; and a guiding unit that determines content of lane guidance based on the driving schedule lane and the current driving lane, and guides the driver to a lane based on the lane guidance when the road is substantially straight. |
| US08073616B2 |
Control information storage apparatus
Vehicle control data is stored in a database of a vehicle control information storage apparatus of the present invention by a unit of road segment. When the same vehicle travels the same road segment for plural times, vehicle speed is averaged for storage as the vehicle control information in the database. Further, learning data has a value that is smaller than a threshold for the segment next to a current segment with a fulfillment of other conditions, the data is combined before storage in the database, thereby achieving a smaller storage volume in the database for the same amount of control information. |
| US08073615B2 |
Destination-prediction apparatus, destination-prediction method, and navigation apparatus
Provided is a destination-prediction apparatus that predicts a destination with increased accuracy than using a conventional technique. The destination-prediction apparatus comprises a candidate-destination selecting unit that selects and orders a plurality of candidate destinations, a drawing processing unit that displays the selected candidate destinations according to the ordering, a rule setting unit that sets a rule that a moving object moves to the candidate destination at a constant frequency during a certain unit period, a unit-period frequency accumulating unit that determines actual frequency at which the moving object has moved to the candidate destination during the unit period, and a actual-frequency judging unit that judges whether or not the actual frequency reaches trip frequency included in the rule. The drawing processing unit displays the candidate destinations, reflecting a result of the judgment that the actual frequency satisfies the rule. |
| US08073614B2 |
Meeting notification and modification service
Techniques are described for providing a meeting notification and automatic modification service. A system may be configured to identify an appointment in a calendar application, identify a geographic location of the appointment, and identify, before the appointment time, a geographic location of a first participant of the appointment. Based on the geographic information, the system may identify a route extending from the geographic location of the first participant to the geographic location of the appointment, and may identify a travel time associated with the route. Based on the travel time and the appointment time, the system may determine whether the first participant is estimated to arrive at the appointment on time and, based on the determination, the system may send a message to participants of the appointment or dynamically reschedule the appointment. |
| US08073611B2 |
Method for controlling a compression-ignition internal combustion engine and control device for controlling a compression-ignition internal combustion engine
A method is described for controlling a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, including predefining a setpoint combustion point for a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, predefining a calculation model for calculating a probable deviation of a future cycle of the engine from the predefined setpoint combustion point while taking an ascertained actual combustion point of a completed cycle engine into consideration, predefining a mean deviation for the engine, operating the engine for a first cycle and ascertaining an actual combustion point of the first cycle, calculating a probable deviation of a second cycle, which occurs after the first cycle, of the engine from the predefined setpoint combustion point, comparing the calculated probable deviation of the second cycle to the predefined mean deviation, and ascertaining at least one operating variable for operating the engine at least during the second cycle as a function of the comparison. Also described is a related method. |
| US08073609B2 |
Slippage condition response system
A slippage condition response system for a machine is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the machine. The response system may also have a map configured to store at least one known slippage condition location. Each known slippage condition location may have a slippage condition position and a modified speed limit. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the map. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the machine, monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the machine, and update the map, based on the monitored parameter and the monitored location. |
| US08073608B2 |
Yaw stability control system
The present invention relates to a yaw stability control system for a vehicle using a steering system and a method of controlling by detecting the occurrence of understeer, determining the degree of understeer after the occurrence of understeer is detected determining if the determined degree of understeer exceeds a threshold value, saving the steering wheel torque value and steering wheel angle value when determined that a calculated drop in steering wheel torque exceeds the threshold value, calculating a guidance torque, a driver-intended steering wheel angle, and updating the steering wheel angle at the start of the guidance torque calculation, applying the guidance torque to the steering of the vehicle, and using the driver-intended steering wheel angle for yaw stability control. |
| US08073607B2 |
Method for populating motor vehicle yaw gain tables for use in an electronic stability control system
An automated and algorithmic method utilizing motor vehicle steering geometry knowledge, applicable to small and large turn angles, along with knowledge of motor vehicle understeer gradient, for determining motor vehicle yaw gain by which a motor vehicle yaw gain table is populated for use by an electronic stability control system of the motor vehicle. The method may utilize either a recursive methodology of population or an open loop methodology of population. |
| US08073605B2 |
Method of managing power flow in a vehicle
A vehicle includes a powertrain system having a non-combustion tractive power generating device and a positioning system. A method of managing power flow in the vehicle includes determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining a probability of vehicle braking at a predetermined location within the trajectory of the vehicle. The non-combustion tractive power generating device is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon the probability of vehicle braking at the predetermined location. |
| US08073602B2 |
System constraints method of controlling operation of an electro-mechanical transmission with an additional constraint range
A method for controlling an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically coupled to first and second electric machines to transmit power to an output member includes determining motor torque constraints and battery power constraints. A preferred output torque to an output member is determined that is achievable within the motor torque constraints, within a range for an additional torque input and based upon the battery power constraints. |
| US08073601B2 |
Method for preferential selection of mode and gear and input speed based on multiple engine state fueling costs for a hybrid powertrain system
A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system including an engine selectively operative in one of an all-cylinder state and a cylinder deactivation state based upon power costs includes determining engine power costs for each operating range state of the transmission, determining a system power cost, selecting a preferred cost and corresponding engine operating points, selecting a preferred operating range state, selecting the engine state, and controlling the engine based upon the selected operating range state, the selected engine state, and the engine operating points. |
| US08073600B2 |
Controller of field winding type synchronous motor, electric drive system, electric four wheel driving vehicle, and hybrid automobile
A controller of a field winding type synchronous motor is provided that can stably output torque even if the d-axis current pulsates by reducing torque pulsation without causing fluctuation in the magnetic flux acting on the torque. A motor control unit 100 performs control so that a desired torque can be generated from a field winding type motor 20 having a field winding 22f on the rotor. Based on a current Id flowing in the d-axis direction out of the current flowing in a stator winding 22a of the field winding type motor 20, the motor control unit 100 calculates an induced voltage Vf2 being induced in the field winding 22f and compensates a field voltage Vf of the field winding based on the induced voltage Vf2, thus suppressing pulsation of the field current flowing in the field winding of the field winding type motor 20. |
| US08073597B2 |
Method and apparatus for predicting vehicle rollover during a trip-over event
A vehicle includes wheels, force sensors adapted for a vertical force and lateral force of each wheel, an onboard device, and a controller. The controller calculates vehicle values using the vertical force and lateral force, compares the values to a corresponding threshold, and automatically deploys the device when each element value does not exceed a corresponding threshold. A method for determining when to deploy an airbag includes measuring a vertical and lateral force at each wheel, and measuring a yaw rate and roll angle. A lateral velocity is calculated using the lateral force, and a lift of each wheel is calculated using the vertical force. The roll angle, roll rate, and stopping time are processed to generate a point on a 3D rollover plane. A rollover energy rate is calculated, and the airbag deploys when the point, rollover energy rate, and lift do not exceed a threshold. |
| US08073593B2 |
Vehicle steering apparatus
A control ON/OFF determination unit determines that oversteer control should be started in the case where a slip angle differential value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the sign of the slip angle differential value is identical with the sign of a yaw rate, the sign of a steering wheel turning angle is identical with the sign of a steering wheel turning speed, and a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. |
| US08073591B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring sand supply to a scattering device for a rail vehicle
A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank (2) of a sand-scattering device in vehicles, in particular in express trains. To prevent an insufficient sand supply, the sand-supply level is monitored by a inspection point. |
| US08073590B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for utilizing a communication channel of a mobile device by a vehicular assembly
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for utilizing a communication channel of a mobile device by a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly communicates with a mobile device having a wireless communication channel. Additionally, at least one vehicular assembly function is performed utilizing the wireless communication channel of the mobile device. |
| US08073589B2 |
User interface system for a vehicle
A user interface system and method for a vehicle enables access to an electronic device. The electronic device is configured to transmit a first data set wherein the first data set indicates at least one of appearance and a function requirement. A user interface module is included having a second data set and a display unit configured to electronically display information that is assessable via the electronic device. Additionally, a conversion engine communicates with the user interface module and the electronic device and processes the first data set and the second data set. Based on the first and second data set, a third data set is generated that is loaded into the user interface module. Through the use of the third data set, the user information system provides access to the electronic device. |
| US08073587B2 |
Diagnostic method for locating a failure in a complex system, and a device for implementing said method
A diagnostic method for locating a failure in a complex system that includes the steps of detecting operating information using a detector device; verifying a performance of the system based on the operating information; determining an operating status of the system to be one of “operational,” “non-operational” and “degraded” based on the operating information; comparing the operating information with predetermined data when the operation status is one of “operational,” “non-operational” and “degraded;” and generating at least one hypothesis as to a location of the failure of the system. |
| US08073582B2 |
System and method for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a pair of locomotives
A system is provided for establishing a wireless-based communication link between a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive. A user on the lead locomotive is prompted to input a railroad and number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link command signal is transmitted from the lead locomotive, based on a predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, and the inputted railroad and number identifier. A second processor on the remote locomotive respectively compares the predetermined number identifier of the lead locomotive, the inputted railroad and number identifier of the lead locomotive, with an inputted number identifier of the lead locomotive, a predetermined railroad and a predetermined number identifier of the remote locomotive. A link reply signal, is transmitted from the remote locomotive, based on the comparison performed by the second processor, to establish the communication link. Additionally, a method is provided for establishing the wireless-based communication link. |
| US08073579B2 |
Device and method for extracting terrain altitudes
The present invention relates to a method and a device for extracting terrain altitudes notably for a display of a sectional view of a terrain overflown by an aircraft. The device for extracting terrain altitudes along a trajectory of an aircraft in flight includes an interface taking into account selected flight parameters of the aircraft; a terrain altitudes extraction requests manager; a geographical zones manager; a terrain data manager; a terrain profile provider. The disclosed embodiment is configured to be used within the framework of an anticollision device for preventing collision between an aircraft and the terrain. |
| US08073578B1 |
Method and system for the cursor-aided manipulation of flight plans in two and three dimensional displays
A method of creating and modifying a flight plan using a cursor control device and a display to represent the flight plan in the context of terrain. The method includes inserting waypoints, including origin and destination waypoints, into a flight plan using a cursor control device to position the waypoints in a display and commanding a flight management system (FMS) to connect the waypoints into a flight plan. The flight plan is drawn in the context of terrain on a display where conflicts between the flight plan and terrain are indicated. Selected elements of the flight plan are selected with a cursor control device and the selected elements are dragged to new positions on the display until terrain conflicts are eliminated, thus generating a modified flight plan. The modified flight plan is reviewed in the context of terrain to determine its acceptability and making further modifications thereof if desired. The modified flight plan is selected from the review thereof, the modified flight having no conflicts with terrain. Finally, the modified flight plan is activated using the FMS. |
| US08073574B2 |
Driving assist method and driving assist apparatus for vehicle
Responsive to braking, a CPU of a driving assist apparatus calculates an average deceleration of the vehicle and then calculates a braking distance. The CPU further calculates a final position at which the vehicle will come to a stop, on the basis of the braking distance. The CPU next activates an assist display for display a map including, superimposed thereon, the route to the final position and an arrival indicator indicating the stop (final) position of the vehicle. |
| US08073572B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program product for modifying a surface of a component
An apparatus, method and computer program product for modifying a surface of a component is provided. In use, a surface of a component is translated relative to at least one jet for a period of time to form a plurality of features thereon. |
| US08073571B2 |
Method and device for frequency-response correction in vibration isolation systems
To achieve improved frequency-response correction of a vibration-signal transmitter in a vibration isolation system, the invention proposes a method in which an analog sensor signal representing vibrations is generated through the use of a vibration-signal transmitter, this sensor signal is amplified for correcting frequency-dependent sensitivity of the vibration-signal transmitter, an actuator control signal is generated by processing the amplified sensor signal, and an actuator is controlled with the actuator control signal for counteracting the vibrations, wherein the amplification of the sensor signal includes first amplification through the use of an analog amplification stage and second amplification through the use of a digital amplification stage. The invention further proposes a correction device and also a vibration isolation system for carrying out the method. |
| US08073570B2 |
Hybrid air-conditioning system and method for controlling the same
An unified controller for controlling a plurality of air-conditioning systems which are capable of air-conditioning individual air-conditioning rooms of a building using different schemes. The unified controller is located under a Building Management System (BMS) controller which simultaneously manages a plurality of systems corresponding to arrangements of the building, and simultaneously controls a multiple air-conditioning system acting as one of the air-conditioning systems and a central air-conditioning system acting as the other one of the air-conditioning systems using a single control command. The unified controller performs error correction, addition of a new function, and update of pre-loaded functions upon receiving a request from the remote controller. |
| US08073569B2 |
Method of configuring a system for driving a screen for closure, sun protection, or projection purposes
The method of switching an electronic unit of a movable screen for closures, sun protection devices and the like to a training mode on the basis of a predetermined series of control signals received from a control member, the series of signals being the result of executing a predetermined press sequence on at least one button of the control member. When the predetermined press sequence is executed, the electronic unit changes a state of an actuator for moving the screen as a function of at least one signal received from the control member, thus enabling the user to perceive that the predetermined press sequence has been recognized. |
| US08073566B2 |
Automated stringline installation system
An automated stringline installation system includes a vehicle, a 3D control system, at least partly carried by the vehicle, for determining location information, and an adjustable arm assembly, mounted on the vehicle, that identifies the location of a relative point in a stringline installation using the location information determined by the 3D control system. The adjustable arm assembly includes an operational arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a string, dispensed from the operational arm, for use in a stringline installation, and a sensor used to determine information pertaining to the location of the distal end of the operational arm assembly relative to the proximal end of the operational arm. |
| US08073564B2 |
Multi-robot control interface
Methods and systems for controlling a plurality of robots through a single user interface include at least one robot display window for each of the plurality of robots with the at least one robot display window illustrating one or more conditions of a respective one of the plurality of robots. The user interface further includes at least one robot control window for each of the plurality of robots with the at least one robot control window configured to receive one or more commands for sending to the respective one of the plurality of robots. The user interface further includes a multi-robot common window comprised of information received from each of the plurality of robots. |
| US08073561B2 |
Sewing machine and method for managing manufacture of the same
A sewing machine and a method for managing manufacture of the sewing machine that effectively utilize production information in a manufacture process or a repair process of the sewing machine. The sewing machine may include a stitch formation device that forms stitches in work cloth by relatively moving the work cloth with respect to a vertically moving needle; a display device that displays a record of performing an operational test, in which operations of the sewing machine are adjusted or confirmed, the operational test including test items; and a performance record storage device that stores the performance record, the performance record being correlated with the test items of the operational test. |
| US08073557B2 |
Motion control systems
A motion control system comprising an application program, a plurality of motion controllers, a set of software drivers, and a motion component. Each software driver exposes a service provider interface comprising a set of driver functions. Driver code of at least one software driver associates at least one driver function with at least one control command. The motion component exposes an application programming interface comprising a set of component functions and component code associates at least one of the component functions with at least one of the driver functions. The at least one selected software driver generates at least one control code from the motion controller language associated with the at least one selected motion controller based on the at least one component function called by the application program, the component code, and the driver code of the at least one selectable software driver. |
| US08073554B2 |
System and method for providing power management in a sensor network
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing power management to sensing nodes in a sensor network. A system may include a plurality of sensing nodes, each sensing node connected through a power management device to an external power source, such as a powered node of another network, for managing power from the external power source to the sensing node. Beneficially, a plurality of power management devices allow for a sensor network of fixed or mobile wireless sensing nodes or sensor gateways to make use of power from an external source such as an another network e.g. an existing emergency lighting system or other similar powered building system. Thus for example, a sensor or group of sensing nodes and their associated power management devices may be integral with or co-located in proximity to powered nodes of these other networks. An intelligent power management device connected to at least one of the sensing nodes may provide for power policy management to sensing nodes based on monitoring power conditions such as available power, power level status, and information obtained from the sensing nodes indicative of network conditions, detecting a change therein, and regulating power to the sensing node depending on the change. |
| US08073553B2 |
Method for configuring a roller shutter automatic control device and roller shutter automatic control device
The method allows the configuration of a blind control device being capable of sending at least one automatic control command at a time changing in the course of a year in a periodic manner, the period being equal to the calendar year. It is wherein it comprises a first step comprising the input of a first time at which the automatic control command must be emitted on a first given day of the year and the input of a second time at which the automatic control command must be emitted on a second given day of the year, and an automatic step of calculating each time at which the automatic control command must be emitted on any other day of the year. |
| US08073549B2 |
Method of electrogenically controlling pump molecules
Activation of electrogenic pump molecules can be realized by a dynamic entrainment procedure which includes two steps: synchronization of individual pump molecules to work at the same pumping pace, and gradual modulation of the synchronization frequency. Na/K pump molecules were used as an example in a physiological operating mode by applying the concept of an electronic synchrotron to the biological system. It was shown that individual Na/K pump molecules can be synchronized by a well designed oscillating electric field. The synchronized pump currents show separated inward and outward pump currents and a magnitude ratio of 3:2 reflecting stoichiometric number of the pump molecules. |
| US08073544B2 |
Neurostimulator involving stimulation strategies and process for using it
This is a neurostimulator that is configured to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders using certain stimulation strategies, particularly changing various pulse parameters, during the imposition of a burst of those pulses. The invention includes the processes embodying those stimulation strategies. |
| US08073538B2 |
Treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by modification of neuronal signaling through fat pads of the heart
To control cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation post-operatively, various non-ablative agents include polymers, fibroblasts, neurotoxins, and growth factors are introduced into one or more cardiac fat pads into the atrioventricular nodal fat pad in proximity to the autonomic ganglia therein. Any desired technique may be used for introducing the agent, including injection. The sinoatrial nodal fat pad target site and the atrioventricular nodal fat pad target site are identified using a stimulator, which may have electrodes coupled thereto or which may coupled to electrodes built into a delivery system. |
| US08073537B2 |
Method and apparatus for post-processing of episodes detected by a medical device
A system and method for determining oversensing during post-processing of sensing data generated by a medical device that includes transmitting a plurality of stored sensing data generated by the medical device to an access device, the stored sensing data including sensed atrial events and sensed ventricular events. The access device determines, in response to the transmitted data, instances where the medical device identified a cardiac event being detected in response to the sensing data, identifies and removes suspected far-field R-waves, and determines whether a signal including the removed suspected far-field R-waves is regular. |
| US08073535B2 |
Radiant energy derived temperature(s)
One aspect relates to adjusting a positional state of an individual to a physiological aspect of the individual at least partially in response to detecting a radiant kinetic energy from the individual. Another aspect relates to indicating to configure an individual at least partially in response to a determining at least one physiologically-indicating body temperature of the individual derived at least partially based on a detecting a radiant kinetic energy from the individual. |
| US08073531B2 |
Micro vein enhancer
The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like. |
| US08073530B2 |
Fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods
This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined imagable fiducial locator and divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example is reflective such that it is locatable by a remote detector of an optical positioning system. A generally cylindrical (e.g., faceted cylindrical) columnar locator permits easy application of reflective tape. Other examples discusses a unitary fiducial marker with multiple divots and a swiveling and/or tilted fiducial marker divot, each of which allows manipulation of a positioning wand into a remote camera's field of view. Another example includes at least one reflector that can be aimed. A further example discusses an imagable fiducial marker carrier that is attachable to a single location on a patient's skull to reduce trauma. A keying arrangement fixedly defines the orientation of the carrier, allowing detachment and reattachment in the same orientation. |
| US08073520B2 |
Systems and methods for replacing signal artifacts in a glucose sensor data stream
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms. |
| US08073519B2 |
Systems and methods for replacing signal artifacts in a glucose sensor data stream
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms. |
| US08073518B2 |
Clip-style medical sensor and technique for using the same
A clip-style pulse sensor may be adapted to apply limited, even pressure to a patient's tissue. A clip-style sensor is provided that reduces motion artifacts by exerting limited, uniform pressure to the patient tissue to reduce tissue exsanguination. Further, such a sensor provides a secure fit while avoiding discomfort for the wearer. |
| US08073516B2 |
Separating motion from cardiac signals using second order derivative of the photo-plethysmogram and fast fourier transforms
The present invention is directed toward a pulse oximetry system for the determination of a physiological parameter capable of removing motion artifacts from physiological signals comprises a hardware subsystem and a software subsystem. The software subsystem is used in conjunction with the hardware subsystem to perform a method for removing a plurality of motion artifacts from the photo-plethysmographic data and for obtaining a measure of at least one physiological parameter from the data. The method comprises acquiring the raw photo-plethysmographic data, transforming the data into the frequency domain, analyzing the transformed data to locate a series of candidate cardiac spectral peaks (primary plus harmonics), reconstructing a photo-plethysmographic signal in the time domain with only the candidate cardiac spectral peaks (primary plus harmonics), computing the second order derivative of the reconstructed photo-plethysmographic signal, analyzing the candidate second order derivative photo-plethysmographic signal to determine the absence or presence of cardiac physiologic signal characteristics, and finally selecting the best physiologic candidate from the series of potential cardiac spectral peaks (primary plus harmonics) based upon a second derivative scoring system. This scoring system is preferentially based upon second derivative processing analysis, but can be equally applied using the first, third, fourth or other similar derivative processing analysis. |
| US08073510B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
Provided is a mobile communication terminal including an upper plate secured to a rear surface of an upper frame and having a first coupling shaft to which one side of a driving link is secured such that the upper frame is vertically guided, a middle frame including a first guide provided at one side of a front surface thereof to guide the first coupling shaft of the upper plate, and first guide means provided at both sides of a rear surface thereof, and a main plate including a main frame secured to a rear surface thereof, sliding guide parts slidably guided along the first guide means of the middle frame at both sides thereof, a second coupling shaft provided at one side of a front surface thereof and to which the other side of the driving link is secured, and a support means for the middle frame installed at the other side of the front surface. |
| US08073509B2 |
Radio telephone
A radio telephone with a sliding cover that moves between positions concealing and revealing a plurality of keys. Predetermined functions are performed in response to respective sequences of actuations of the plurality of keys. The exposed keys are utilisable for a range of positions of the slide. |
| US08073506B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes: a first body including an operation part; a second body including a display; and a connector which rotatably connects the first body and the second body. The connector is connected to the first body, and rotates with respect to the first body about a first rotating shaft. The connector is connected to a lateral end of the second body, and rotates with respect to the second body about a second rotating shaft orthogonal to the first rotating shaft. A first fitting portion is formed on a connected surface of the connector to be connected with the second body. A second fitting portion which is fitted to the first fitting portion, is formed on the second body. When the second body relatively rotates about the second rotating shaft to overlap the connector on the connected surface, the first fitting portion fits to the second fitting portion. |
| US08073504B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal, comprising a main body having a plurality of keys, a folder having a protrusion on the outer surface thereof, a first hinge part which connects the main body and the folder having a first hinge axis, and a second hinge part which connects to the first hinge part having a second hinge axis perpendicular to the first hinge axis, wherein the protrusion is formed to correspond to at least one of the keys when the main body and the folder are superposed with the inner surface of the folder exposed to the exterior, is convenient to use and carry, as the user may rotate the folder by a predetermined angle and use the keys attached to the main body. |
| US08073497B2 |
Echo canceller with correlation using pre-whitened data values received by downlink codec
Duplex audio communications over a network use compressed audio data, with linear prediction coefficients (LPCs) and variances by which sample values differ from predictions. A adaptive echo canceller for a transceiver develops finite impulse response filter (FIR) coefficients characterizing an echo path between its local audio output and audio input. The received/decompressed audio data is applied to the FIR coefficients, and the predicted echo is subtracted from the uplink signal. Echo is detected as cross-correlation of the receive signal versus the uplink/send signal over time. In one embodiment, the cross-correlation is determined using a pre-whitened receive signal, obtained by adopting the variance values received over the network by the downlink Codec. Apart from the uplink Codec, no speech analysis filter or process is needed. The technique is apt for GSM, AMR and similar compressed audio communications. |
| US08073494B2 |
Alert methods and apparatus for call appointments in a calendar application based on communication conditions of a mobile station
In one illustrative example, a mobile device includes one or more processors, memory coupled to the one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to the one or more processors, and a user interface which includes a visual display and a plurality of keys. The one or more processors are operative to identify whether a radio frequency (RF) out-of-coverage condition exists between the mobile device and a wireless communication network within a predetermined time period from a date and time of an appointment associated with a calendar application of the mobile device. In response to identifying such condition, the one or more processors cause an RF out-of-coverage warning indication to be produced at the user interface in association with the appointment. Otherwise, the one or more processors refrain from causing this RF out-of-coverage warning indication to be produced. The indication may be or include a message which instructs a user of the mobile device to relocate the mobile device for removing the out-of-coverage condition for the appointment. At the date and time of the appointment, the one or more processors also cause a calendar reminder indication for the appointment to be produced at the user interface, as a reminder of the appointment. |
| US08073491B2 |
Communication system and method
A communication system including a first station having at least two first narrow beam antennas and a second station having at least two second narrow beam antennas. The first and second stations establish a first communication path for wireless communication via a pair of first and second narrow beam antennas. When communication via the first communication path is disturbed by obstacles, the first and second stations automatically establish at least one alternative communication path, which is spatially different from the first communication path, for wireless communication using the at least two first narrow beam antennas and the at least two second narrow beam antennas. |
| US08073488B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and program
An information processing device that includes processing devices and a relay device. Each processing device has at least one processing function associated with a unique function information item, a function determination portion, and a device information item notification portion. The function determination portion determines whether the processing device includes a processing function that corresponds to a function information item received from the relay device. If the processing device has the processing function, the device information item notification portion transmits a device information item to the relay device. The relay device includes a storage portion that stores the device information items, a function information item transmission portion, and a device information item recording portion. |
| US08073487B2 |
Broadcast reception mobile terminal
There is provided a broadcast reception mobile terminal capable of improving both electric power saving and user-friendliness. A broadcast reception mobile terminal (2) is constructed to be foldable as a result of a lid body arranged to be rotated with respect to a main body, and includes a main LCD panel (202a) on an inner surface side of the lid body and a sub LCD panel (202b) on an outer surface side of the lid body. A CPU (209) detects that the lid body is opened or closed by a signal from an opening/closing detection switch. In addition, the CPU (209) obtains from an earphone connector (203) information indicating whether or not an earphone is connected. In a case that the CPU (209) detects the lid body being closed during television viewing on the main LCD panel (202a), and performing a TVOFF process if the earphone is not connected, and stopping video display but continuing output of received audio if the earphone is connected. |
| US08073486B2 |
Methods for opportunistic multi-user beamforming in collaborative MIMO-SDMA
A system and method for opportunistically designing collaborative beamforming vectors is disclosed for a wireless multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) communication system by sequentially designing beamforming vectors for ranked channels in order to exploit the instantaneous channel conditions to improve per user average SNR performance. Each subscriber station independently transmits information to a base station that allows the base station to determine beamforming vectors for each subscriber station by ranking the subscriber stations by channel strength. Using sequential nullspace methods, the ranked channel matrices are then used to select the channel matrix Hi for the best subscriber station, to design the wi, vi for the best subscriber station as the left and right singular vectors of the MIMO channel matrix Hi, to transform the remaining channels and to continue the process until beamforming vectors are designed for all channels. |
| US08073485B2 |
Wireless communication device, wireless communication program storage medium, and wireless communication method
An amount of data accumulated in a data-receiving buffer is monitored. When the accumulated amount of data exceeds a threshold, a control PDU indicating that the accumulated amount of data exceeds the threshold is generated and transmitted to a data transmitter. |
| US08073483B2 |
Device rotation for SIM selection
A device having multiple configurations, wherein each configuration allows operation of the device according to features that may be different than other configurations. Each of the configurations is controlled by a separate SIM card. The device is configured to select an operating configuration, and associated SIM card, in response to detecting an orientation of the device. As the orientation of the device changes, the device selects an operating configuration in accord with user intent. |
| US08073478B2 |
Multi-party digital intercommunication systems and associated methods of operation
This disclosure discloses methods and systems for subscribers in a multi-party conversation to obtain the right to speak efficiently and fairly. |
| US08073477B2 |
Short message distribution center
A message distribution center (MDC) is interposed between content providers and a wireless carrier to subjectively examine and direct messages via SMTP based on desired rules (e.g., non-peak hours, paying subscribers only, etc.) using standard SMTP Gateway and other well-known protocols. The MDC includes an individual queue for each subscriber, and the provider is informed through conventional SMTP protocol messages that the short message has been accepted. If the carrier has specifically disallowed service for a particular MIN (e.g., in the case of churning), then the content provider is informed through an SMTP interchange that the recipient is invalid. An MDC provides a single mechanism for interacting with subscribers of multiple carriers, regardless of each carrier's underlying infrastructure. For the carrier, an MDC can protect their SS7 network by intelligently throttling messages and configuring message delivery parameters to be more network friendly. An MDC can receive outside a relevant wireless network recipient handset presence information. In the disclosed embodiment, a content provider communicates with the MDC using SMTP protocol messages, and the MDC communicates with wireless carriers preferably using RMI/SMPP techniques. |
| US08073476B2 |
Mobile communication device and method for deleting short message service messages
A mobile communication device includes a receiver, a detector, an analyzer, and a deleting module. The receiver is used for receiving short message service messages, and storing the short message service messages in a message record. The detector is used for detecting an occupying space of the short message service messages, and generating a signal if the occupying space is greater than a predetermined volume. The analyzer is used for storing a plurality of message deletion rates of short message service messages and a deletion time, and generating a delete command according to the signal and the message deletion rates or to the signal and the deletion time. The deleting module is used for receiving the delete command, and deleting pending short message service messages according to the delete command. A method for automatically deleting short message service messages from the mobile communication device is also provided. |
| US08073474B1 |
Systems and methods for controlling group messaging
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for facilitating real-time instant messaging among a group of people. In one embodiment, the instant messages are clustered around a theme, such as a picture, a graphic or even bit mapped data. The common theme acts as a marker, and messages are accumulated around that marker for distribution to a group of people associated with that marker. In one embodiment, the messages are transient in nature and thus have no permanency in any database. |
| US08073472B1 |
System and method for providing prepaid billing for instant messaging users
A system and method for providing prepaid billing for users of an instant messaging system. A method includes determining whether a prepaid account balance associated with an IM client request satisfies a pre-determined criteria, establishing a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establishing a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria. The system includes a prepaid account screener operable to determine whether a prepaid account balance satisfies the criteria, establish a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establish a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria. |
| US08073470B1 |
Paging windows for power conservation in wireless networks
Improved paging for wireless networks is disclosed. A wireless terminal clock is synchronized to a server clock. A paging window and a dormant window are set for communicating between the server and the wireless terminal using the synchronized time. The paging window and the dormant window are set using a set of instructions. During the paging window, a control channel for a cellular network is found by the wireless terminal, and a page is received from the server at the wireless terminal. |
| US08073466B2 |
Method and system for providing location measurement of network based to mobile communication terminal by using G-pCell database
Disclosed are a method and a system for providing a mobile communication terminal with network-based location measurement by using a G-pCell database. The method and system are advantageous in that, when a mobile communication system employs a network-based location measurement scheme, the influence of repeaters is reduced to improve the positioning stability and measurement accuracy and provide more stable location-based services. |
| US08073461B2 |
Geo-tagged journal system for location-aware mobile communication devices
Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A journal creation and management component provides tools for users to create and store user-generated content in the form of an online journal. This user-generated content can be automatically tagged with location information provided by the location-aware mobile communication device. Such geo-tagged journal information can be shared with specific users in the network or utilized by users with specific interest in the location dimension of the journal content. The user-generated content can be provided in the form of text or graphic messages, pictures, audio/video clips, and the like. |
| US08073460B1 |
System and method for providing advertisement based on mobile device travel patterns
Mobile device users may be tracked either via mobile-signal triangulation or via Global Positioning Satellite information. A mobile device user's recent movements may be analyzed to determine trails or traffic patterns for device user among various locations. Mobile device trail information, either for an individual user or aggregated for multiple users, may be analyzed to determine a next destination for the user. Electronic advertising content, such as advertisements, coupons and/or other communications, associated with the next destination may be sent to an electronic device likely to be viewed by the mobile device user. Additionally, the identity of the mobile device user may be known and the advertisements or coupons may be tailored according to demographic information regarding the mobile device user. In addition, destinations may be recommended to mobile device users based on the recent locations the users have visited. |
| US08073459B2 |
Methods and devices for determining a location area of a wireless cellular telecommunication network
The present invention concerns a method for determining a location area of a mobile terminal in a wireless cellular telecommunication network, the mobile terminal being located in a first wireless area of the wireless cellular telecommunication network. The method comprises the steps, executed by a telecommunication device of the wireless cellular telecommunication network, of: receiving a message from the mobile terminal, obtaining, for each second wireless area of a group of second wireless areas, information related to the probability that the mobile terminal moves into the second wireless area, determining, among the group of second wireless areas, a subset of second wireless areas from the obtained information, the determined subset of second wireless areas being the location area of the mobile terminal. The present invention concerns also the related device. |
| US08073455B1 |
Resource allocation through bouncing-busy hour traffic modeling
An embodiment of the current invention is directed to determining one or more sectors in a network divided into sectors that require additional communication resources. Total-hourly, busy-time traffic is collected for each sector. A total-monthly, busy-time traffic is determined for each month, based on the total-hourly, busy-time traffic. The sectors are divided into a number of groups, based on the total-monthly, busy-time traffic for each sector. An ordering of sectors in each group is created, based on the total-hourly, busy-time traffic, utilizing a different ordering algorithm for each group. One or more sectors requiring additional communication resources are determined based on the ordering of sectors. |
| US08073454B2 |
Resource scheduling in a cellular system
A method for scheduling resources for uplink transmissions in a radio access network includes each of a plurality of access points (APs) placing its resources to the disposition of other APs and transmitting a blocking signal if it does not allow other APs to use any of its resources. The method includes a user terminal (UT) listening for blocking signals and an AP scheduling the UT on the AP's own resources and/or on resources belonging to one or more other APs. |
| US08073452B2 |
System and method utilizing a cognitive transceiver for ad hoc networking
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for utilizing unused portions of an allocated frequency spectrum in a wireless communications system that broadcasts content to wireless stations. A first wireless station may communicate with a second wireless station on an idle broadcast channel while keeping the resulting interference level below an acceptable maximum limit at the other wireless stations. Using interference level information that are measured at the wireless stations, the wireless station can negotiate with the other wireless station on an establishment channel for subsequent communications on one or more broadcast channels. The wireless station may receive broadcast content on a time slice that corresponds to a broadcast channel and that is further processed by the wireless station. Otherwise, the wireless station can utilize the corresponding time to measure an interference level for the corresponding channel or to transmit or receive data to/from another wireless station. |
| US08073450B2 |
Method and apparatus for de-activating hybrid automatic repeat request process in a wireless communications system
A method for handling de-activation of a first Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process used in a mobile of a wireless communications system includes receiving a Primary Absolute Grant (AG) message indicating to de-activate the first HARQ process, de-activating the first HARQ process, and activating all HARQ processes and using a grant provided by a Secondary AG message as a serving grant if all the HARQ processes are de-activated and a secondary grant function is configured. |
| US08073445B2 |
Method for determining if a first cell managed by a first base station is neighbour of a second cell managed by a second base station
The present invention concerns a method for determining neighboring condition and cell area operation of a cell area managed by a base station, the cell area being a cell area of a wireless cellular network, the wireless cellular network comprising a telecommunication network enabling the transfer of information between a first base station and a second base station, wherein the wireless cellular network comprises a server linked to the telecommunication network. The first base station configures an operation domain of a first cell area managed by the first base station based on the information representative of the operation domain of the second cell area received from the second base station via the direct connection. The invention concerns also the associated non-transitory computer readable storage medium including stored thereon a computer program for implementing a method for determining cell area operation of a cell area managed by a base station. |
| US08073440B2 |
Automatic gain control in a personal navigation device
In one example, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device pairs with a mobile phone and then sends a plurality of tuning transmissions, each at a different transmission power gain amount, to a remote server using the mobile phone. These tuning transmissions are encoded using frequency tones that synthesize speech for transmission through the mobile phone and a voice channel of its wireless telecommunications network. The navigation device then tunes transmit power settings according to a received response to the tuning transmissions and uses the tuned transmit power settings for subsequent transmission to the remote server using this particular mobile phone. |
| US08073438B2 |
Method and system for disabling a wireless communication device
A method and system for disabling a wireless communication device, including: capturing a signal stream from the wireless communication device by satisfying a signal control protocol using a mobile broadcast antenna; and routing signals to and from the wireless communication device according to a non-standard protocol, thereby disabling normal operation of the wireless communication device. The mobile broadcast antenna includes a signal capturing module configured to receive information relevant to satisfaction of the signal control protocol and to alter a signal of the mobile broadcast antenna. The signal capturing module detects signal strengths from other broadcast antenna and alters a broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to be higher than the detected signal strengths. The signal capturing module calculates a desired signal strength difference according to a desired protection characteristic and alters the broadcast strength of the mobile broadcast antenna to satisfy the desired signal strength difference. |
| US08073437B2 |
Mobile communication terminal for providing contents and method thereof
A mobile communication terminal for providing contents to a user, comprises a transceiver for receiving one or more contents set as default and one or more new contents from a server; a display unit for displaying the contents set as default and the new contents; a controller for controlling the transceiver and the display unit, thereby to display the received contents set as default, and then display the new contents if the new contents is received. |
| US08073433B2 |
System, method, mobile terminal and computer program product for providing push-to-talk chat in interactive mobile TV
An apparatus for providing an interactive service during a broadcast service includes a transmitting element and a processing element. The transmitting element is capable of communicating broadcast content of the broadcast service to a plurality of receiving terminals. The processing element is configured to at least partially control the transmitting element. The processing element is configured to communicate with a network device in order to request a program specific group for communication of the interactive service to a receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group. The interactive service is communicated to the receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group with reception of the broadcast service. The content associated with the interactive service originates from the receiving terminals. |
| US08073432B2 |
Data synchronization
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for arranging data synchronization is a synchronization system which comprises at least a first synchronization device and a second synchronization device. The synchronization system defines binding data which associates a user data unit of the first synchronization device with at least one function of the first synchronization device. A first synchronization step is performed between the first synchronization device and the second synchronization device, the step comprising transferring the user data unit from the first synchronization device to the second synchronization device. After the first synchronization step has been performed, a second synchronization step is performed where binding data is transferred from the first synchronization device to the second synchronization device. Binding is formed in the second synchronization device between the user data unit and at least one function of the second synchronization device in accordance with the binding data. |
| US08073431B2 |
Temporary messaging address system and method
A messaging system is disclosed. The system includes a communications network including a wireless access point, a messaging server coupled to the communications network, and a mobile device in communication with the communications network via an access point. The mobile device has a mobile ID associated with the device, and a program running on the mobile device from which a temporary address may be created corresponding to the mobile ID. The temporary address is useable for messaging over the communications network. The temporary address is registered with the messaging server. |
| US08073430B1 |
Compressed audio information
Compressed entertainment content such as audio or video or both includes additional aspects and operations associated their way. The compressed audio may be used to signal computers such as a telephone or reminder for an appointment. A melody line may be extracted from the audio, or the audio may be used exactly as it is. Another aspect stores traders within the entertainment content such as in MP3. Those traders are used to trigger the system to retrieve other parts of the content to be displayed at the same time that that particular part of the MP3 is being play. The content may include video or text, or maybe links to other content such as broadband content four times sensitive content. Another aspect describes encryption which is keyed to the disk ID to prevent playing oven illegally copied disk. Another aspect reads a specified amount of information then spins down the disk to conserve battery power. |
| US08073429B2 |
Cellular media message forwarding
A system and method for communicating a message. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise determining whether a communication link between a sender's communication device and a recipient's communication device is presently available. If it is determined that a communication link between the sender's communication device and the recipient's communication device is not presently available, then the sender may be provided with an option to record a message on the sender's communication device for later automatic delivery to the recipient's communication device. A message from the sender may then be recorded on the sender's communication device for later automatic delivery to the recipient's communication device, and the recorded message may be automatically delivered to the recipient's communication device. Communicating the recorded message to the recipient's communication device may, for example, comprise persistently attempting to deliver the recorded message from the sender's communication device to the recipient's communication device. |
| US08073428B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing communication between an access point and a network controller
Some embodiments are implemented in a communication system that includes a first wireless communication system and a second wireless communication system that includes a Femtocell access point (FAP) and a network controller that can communicatively couple the FAP to the first wireless communication system. In some embodiments, the network controller can communicatively couple to the first wireless communication system through a UTRAN Iu interface. In some embodiments, the FAP can communicatively couple to a user equipment using a short-range licensed wireless frequency. Some embodiments provide method of securing communication between the FAP and the network controller. The method establishes a secure tunnel between the FAP and the network controller. The method communicatively couples the FAP and several user equipments (UEs) to the network controller by using the secure tunnel. The UEs are communicatively coupled to the FAP through an air interface. |
| US08073425B2 |
Charging method and charging system
A charging method, device, and system are disclosed. The charging method includes: receiving a message carrying a charging group ID, and sending a charging request message carrying the charging group ID to a charging node corresponding to the charging group ID for charging according to a corresponding relationship of the charging group ID and the charging node. According to embodiments of the present invention, correct charging for services and merging of fees are realized and meanwhile requirements for real-time charging and separation of public accounts and private accounts are met. |
| US08073424B2 |
System and method of managing contactless payment transactions using a mobile communication device as a stored value device
A method handling payment transactions in a system using mobile communication devices as stored value devices is disclosed. A transaction operations server receives multiple records of the transaction from the stored value device—one via a communication channel through the telecommunication provider network, and another via an independent communication channel. The records are reconciled at the transaction server for transaction verification. |
| US08073420B2 |
Sensor net management method
There is provided a sensor node management method in which a user is unconscious of a service break even when a sensor mode has failed among a plurality of sensor nodes assuming intermittent operation. Moreover, it is possible to provide a flexible sensor node management method capable of freely modifying the observation grading (space, time) in accordance with a user's desire. A base station (30) for containing a plurality of intermittently operating sensor modes includes a sensor management table (4) for managing the sensor nodes, a group management table (5) for grouping a plurality of sensor nodes, and an operation timing control unit (3). The operation timing control unit (3) decides the operation interval and the relationship for starting each of the sensor nodes. Moreover, the base station and the sensor node have a counter value as a reference of the sensor node operation interval and the operation start phase, which are periodically synchronized. |
| US08073418B2 |
Receiving systems and methods for audio processing
A receiving system for audio processing includes a first demodulation unit and a second demodulation unit. The first demodulation unit is utilized for receiving an audio signal and generating a first demodulated audio signal. The second demodulation unit is utilized for selectively receiving the audio signal or the first demodulated audio signal according to a setting of a television audio system which the receiving system is applied, and generating a second demodulated audio signal. |
| US08073416B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a bias current of a VCO in a phase-locked loop
A local oscillator includes a phase-locked loop. The phase-locked loop includes voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a novel VCO control circuit. The VCO control circuit may be programmable and configurable. In one example, an instruction is received onto the VCO control circuit to change the power state of the VCO. The instruction is issued by other circuitry in response to a detected change in RF channel conditions (for example, a change in a signal-to-noise determination) in a cellular telephone. In response, the VCO control circuit outputs control signals that gradually widen the loop bandwidth of the PLL, then gradually change the VCO bias current to change the VCO power state, and then narrow the loop bandwidth of the PLL back to its original bandwidth. The entire process of widening the PLL bandwidth, changing the VCO power state, and narrowing the PLL bandwidth occurs while the PLL remains locked. |
| US08073414B2 |
Auto-tuning system for an on-chip RF filter
A Radio Frequency Receiver on a Single Integrated Circuit (“RFSIC”) is described. The RFSIC may include a mixer, a phase-locked loop (“PLL”) in signal communication with the mixer, and an on-chip auto-tuned RF filter in signal communication with both the mixer and PPL, such that the same PLL simultaneously tunes the frequency of the VCO and the frequency response of the auto-tuned RF filter. |
| US08073412B2 |
Method for automatic frequency range and step selection using region signature for a digital AM/FM tuner
A method of configuring a tuner includes scanning at least one range of radio frequencies, measuring a signal quality metric for each of a plurality of the frequencies, and selecting a set of operational frequencies for the tuner. The selecting step is dependent upon the measuring step. |
| US08073403B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating formation of an apparent push-to-talk communication connection
Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating formation of an apparent push-to-talk communication session connection at a mobile station operable in a conventional cellular communication system. Upon initiation of push-to-talk operation, a user of the mobile station immediately commences voice communications. During call connection procedures, voice data is buffered at a buffer of the mobile station. When a communication connection is formed, the buffered data is played out. Thereafter, additional communications commence. |